One of Ottawa’s major thoroughfares just got a little more electric.
Bank Street was officially renamed ‘Charge Avenue’ on Wednesday, as part of a city-wide effort to support the Ottawa Charge’s first postseason appearance in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).
A ceremony was held outside TD Place, the Charge’s home arena, where Mayor Mark Sutcliffe oversaw the installation of new street signs.
“We just want to show the team how much we are behind them because they’ve been working hard all year,” Sutcliffe said in a video posted by the team.
“They’re such an inspiring group of players and women, [and] they’re doing so much for our community, so the least we can do is put up a few signs and show we’re supportive of all their efforts and cheer them on in the playoffs.”
Another municipal initiative turns downtown’s Elgin Street into ‘Sens Mile’ while the Ottawa Senators compete in the NHL playoffs. While the Senators made the postseason this year for the first time since 2017, ‘Sens Mile’ was short-lived, as Ottawa lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round.
Several players, including team captain Brianne Jenner and forward Emily Clark, head coach Carla MacLeod, as well as multiple city councillors also attended the ceremony.
“It’s a really exciting moment for our organization and for the city to make our first playoff appearance,” said Jenner. “We’re really excited as players to get to Montreal… but to have a sendoff like this, renaming of Bank Street before we go from our mayor and from our city, it’s a really special day, so we’re pretty grateful.”
After missing the playoffs in the league’s inaugural season, the Charge clinched their first postseason berth last weekend with a dramatic overtime win against the Toronto Sceptres in the final game of the year.
Under PWHL rules, the team that finishes atop the regular season standings is allowed to select their first-round opponent, and the Montreal Victoire, led by Olympic hero Marie-Philip Poulin, picked Ottawa.
As such, the Charge will travel to Montreal on Thursday for the first matchup in a five-game series, with the first team to win three games advancing to the Walter Cup finals.
Puck drop for Thursday night’s game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.
Game two will also be held in Montreal on Sunday, before the two teams head to the nation’s capital for game three and, if necessary, game four.
