Resilient Ottawa Charge looking for Walter Cup redemption

When the Boston Fleet stormed back to score three goals in less than two minutes, the Ottawa Charge didn't wilt under pressure.

Shortly after those goals, Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod used a TV timeout to remind her team that they were still in it. There was plenty of time left to mount a comeback.

Later that period, Charge defender Brooke Hobson scored to tie the game and force overtime. And less than two minutes into double overtime, Charge forward Michela Cava potted the game-winning goal that sent the Charge back to the championship series for the second consecutive year.

Resilience has been part of the Charge's DNA all season long, and it's by design. Ottawa captain, Brianne Jenner, credited her team's mental performance coach, Kim Thompson, for helping the players develop the ability to weather any storm they find themselves in.

"The fact that we were able to put that in the rear view and just keep going, that's something that we try to cultivate in our locker room," Jenner said. "That’s stuff that we work on."

It's also likely something they take from MacLeod, who has coached this season while battling breast cancer. When the momentum shifted away from them, MacLeod brought them back to it.

"They’re resilient just like their coach who is going through some things right now with her health," Boston Fleet head coach Kris Sparre said after his team's 4-3 loss. "We wish her and obviously the Ottawa Charge all the best."

The Charge will face the winner of the other semifinal series between the Montreal Victoire and Minnesota Frost. Game 5 was scheduled for Monday, but was postponed due to illness. A rescheduled date hasn't been announced yet.

Ottawa Charge head back to Walter Cup finals after defeating Boston Fleet