Gwyneth Philips says she's ready for another Ottawa Charge playoff push

The Ottawa Charge celebrate with goaltender Gwyneth Philips following a 42-save shutout against the Toronto Sceptres on April 11, 2026 at Coca Cola Coliseum. Photo by PWHL /Handout

Article content

If there’s been any concern around Gwyneth Philips’ heavier-than-most workload this season, the Ottawa Charge goaltender is quick to say there’s still lots of gas left in the tank.

Article content

“I mean, it’s my job,” Philips told the Ottawa Citizen. “At the end of the day, I don’t think it takes a toll on me.”

Article content

Article content

The Charge has leaned heavily on Philips between the pipes this season, starting 25 of 27 regular-season games. Her league-leading 1,419 minutes and 719 shots faced may offer a glimpse into just how busy she’s been in net.

Article content

Article content

In many ways, her show-stopping 42-save shutout performance in Toronto on Saturday was somewhat of a redemption after allowing three or more goals in her two previous starts.

Article content

Article content

It wasn’t always flashy, but Philips was the best player on the ice in Toronto as she not only gave the heavily outshot Charge a chance to stay in the game, but to win it.

Article content

“I’ve been playing up and down, so it was nice to have a good game,” she said.

Article content

As the Charge continues its playoff push with just three games to go in the regular season, it seems the resurgence couldn’t have come at a better moment.

Article content

After taking over the No. 1 job as a rookie midway through last season from an injured Emerance Maschmeyer and earning playoff MVP honours in a Cinderella-story playoff run, Philips is no longer a stranger to the professional spotlight.

Article content

Ottawa Charge goaltender Gwyneth Philips pokes the puck away from Toronto Sceptres forward Clara Van Weiren at Coca Cola Coliseum on April 11, 2026. Photo by PWHL /PWHL

Article content

If anything, the 25-year-old netminder thrives when the pressure reaches a boiling point.

Article content

“It’s a cliché, but pressure is a privilege,” she said. “To be in this spot, playing in front of these fans, playing in this league is a privilege, so it’s fun to have that kind of pressure.”

Article content

Article content

Article content

What is this week looking like for the Charge?

Article content

After returning home last weekend following a relatively busy stretch of games, the Charge is taking advantage of a full week between matchups for rest and recovery.

Article content

For Philips, she says this means managing her reps in practice with goalie coach Pierre Groulx, taking care of herself at the gym and staying focused on the task at hand.

Article content

Also, she said she has a solid support system in her goalie partners Sanni Ahola and Kendra Woodland.

Article content

While the assumption is that Philips will start in all three remaining games as long as playoff hopes are on the line, she said it helps to know her partners could step up if needed.

Article content

“It’s a great group to have, to know that whoever’s on the bench if something happens, they can go in. It’s not the situation you want to be in, but it’s good to know we’ve got some depth,” Philips said.

Article content

On the ice, the team is also refining ways it can tighten up its defence to help lessen the amount of shots Philips sees in a given game.

Article content

“We have to work on that we don’t get that (many) chances against,” said assistant coach Juuso Toivola. “We need to make the game easier for (Philips).”