Charge, Frost play with Carla MacLeod in mind after breast cancer diagnosis

Hockey took somewhat of a backseat despite Tuesday's rematch between the 2025 Walter Cup finalists.

The Professional Women's Hockey League community came together to support the Ottawa Charge's beloved head coach Carla MacLeod this week in her battle with breast cancer.

"She's in our hearts, she's on our minds and we're behind her in this battle," said Minnesota Frost captain Kendall Coyne Schofield.

Coyne Schofield's first career PWHL hat trick lifted the Frost to a dominant 5-1 win over the Charge. It was the first time the two teams have met since Minnesota defeated Ottawa in four games to clinch its second consecutive Walter Cup title in May.

Frost crush Charge as Coyne Schofield scores a hat trick in the nation's capital

Still, MacLeod's health was the first focus for all parties involved.

On Sunday, MacLeod announced her breast cancer diagnosis to the hockey world, saying her goal is still to "be behind the bench as much as possible."

The home crowd at TD Place Arena turned the stands pink to support MacLeod. Despite her absence to meet with her doctors, MacLeod still earned a rousing standing ovation from both the Ottawa faithful and the visiting fans.

"It's so special to play in front of them and to see everyone wearing their pink and so many signs for Carla," said Ottawa forward Emily Clark.

"It's pretty cool how this community is rallying together and we feel that as a team, and hopefully Carla can feel that from afar, too."

In MacLeod's absence, assistant coach Haley Irwin stepped up as acting bench boss, with some big shoes to fill.

"We're professionals in the way that you have to show up and do what's asked of you, and sometimes that's just a different role," Irwin said. "I just had to play a slightly