Just days after Ottawa Charge head coach Carla MacLeod publicly revealed her diagnosis for breast cancer, the team was on the ice to face the Minnesota Frost.
In a rematch of last year’s Walter Cup finalists, Minnesota – the now two-time defending champions – prevailed 5-1. Captain Kendall Coyne Schofield led the way for her squad, netting her first career PWHL hat trick, including the opening marker just 24 seconds into the game.
Dominique Petrie and Grace Zumwinkle each found the net for Minnesota, the latter goal coming at the seven-minute mark of the first period to set a league record for fastest three goals to start a game.
Ottawa assistant coach Haley Irwin took over behind the bench in MacLeod’s absence. A crowd of 5,174 was on hand at TD Place to rally in support of MacLeod, many wearing pink colours or waving signs of encouragement for ‘Carla’ – the Charge logo used as the ‘C’.
“It’s been an emotional big week for us,” Ottawa forward Emily Clark said at the post-game press conference. Everyone is still processing the news. We wanted to come out hard for Carla. It was definitely not the start we wanted, but I think we can be proud that we never gave up.”
Kelly Pannek and Britta Curl-Salemme rounded out the scoring for Minnesota.
Ottawa defender Rory Guilday, the team’s first round, fifth overall pick in 2025, scored the lone Charge goal.
“It was definitely tough when the news broke. It’s not something you read and just move forward with your day,” Coyne Schofield said. “Whether you know Carla or not, you find a way to reach out and let her know that she’s in our hearts and on our minds and we’re behind her in this battle. I look forward to seeing her back on the bench and back with Czechia when the time comes. It’s something you carry with you, and we want her to know we’re thinking about her and we’re with her in any way, shape, or form throughout her battle.”
