Brandt scores shootout winner as PWHL-leading Fleet defeat Charge 3-2

By Canadian Press on February 28, 2026.

OTTAWA — Hannah Brandt scored the shootout winner, and the Boston Fleet moved into sole possession of first place in the Professional Women’s Hockey League following a 3-2 shootout win over the Ottawa Charge Saturday afternoon.

Abby Newhook and Alina Muller scored in regulation for the Fleet (8-3-2-2), and Aerin Frankel stopped 23 shots.

Rebecca Leslie scored a pair for the Charge (4-5-1-7) and Gwyneth Phillips made 21 saves.

Ottawa led 2-1 midway through the third period, but the Fleet tied it on the power play at 13:26 when Muller’s shot deflected off the skate of Ottawa’s Kathryn Reilly.

The Charge started the third period on the power play and Leslie took a pass from Emily Clark in front and scored her ninth to tie things 1-1.

Less than two minutes later Leslie took control again, cutting across in front and firing a wrist shot a shot past Frankel to give the Charge a 2-1 lead.

With her 10th of the season Leslie moved into a five-way tie for the scoring lead with 16 points (10 goals, six assists). Ottawa’s Brianne Jenner also reached 16 points with an assist on Leslie’s first goal.

Leslie nearly had her third midway through the period, but the puck rolled off her stick as she tried to beat Frankel shortside.

Both teams were flat in the second period. Ottawa didn’t register its first shot until the midway mark and only got one more.

The Charge came out with a solid first period, but it was the Fleet who capitalized.

With 5:08 remaining Muller found Newhook just inside the blue line. Newhook was able to get a shot through traffic to beat Phillips.

Takeaways

Charge: Ottawa’s power play capitalized on its first opportunity, scoring eight seconds into the third period.

Fleet: Frankel was the difference in the first and third as Ottawa pressed.

Key stat
The game featured 15 Olympians from the Milan Cortina Games.

Key moment
The Fleet caught a break on the power play when Muller’s shot deflected off Reilly’s skate in front.

Up next

Charge: Ottawa hosts the Seattle Torrent, Wednesday, March 4.

Fleet: Boston will visit the New York Sirens Thursday, March 5.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 28, 2026.

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press