LOWELL, Mass. (Interstat) — Gwyneth Philips made 16 saves, and Fanuza Kadirova, Ronja Savolainen and Gabbie Hughes scored as the Ottawa Charge beat the Boston Fleet 3-1 on May 2 in Game 2 of a Professional Women’s Hockey League playoff series at Tsongas Center.

The result tied the series 1-1. Ottawa improved to 18-14, while Boston moved to 22-10. The Charge evened the playoff matchup after Boston took the opener. Ottawa’s victory came on the road against a Boston team that had the better regular-season record entering the postseason. The win followed a 2-1 loss in the series opener.

Ottawa opened the scoring in the first period when Savolainen scored at 13:16, with assists from Rory Guilday and Taylor House. The goal came during a period that included three minor penalties. Ottawa’s Kathryn Reilly was called for tripping at 1:28, and teammate Jocelyne Larocque received a cross-checking penalty at 7:37. Boston’s Olivia Mobley was sent off for tripping at 10:26. Savolainen’s goal gave the Charge a 1-0 lead and rewarded Ottawa for an active opening period.

Kadirova doubled the Ottawa lead at 1:54 of the second period, scoring with assists from Rebecca Leslie and Larocque. Kadirova finished with one goal and four shots on goal. Leslie added one assist, two shots and one hit. Larocque recorded two assists, two penalty minutes and one hit. The Charge carried a 2-0 advantage into the middle of the period.

Boston answered late in the second period. Megan Keller scored at 19:50 with assists from Abby Newhook and Alina Müller, trimming Ottawa’s lead to 2-1. Keller finished with one goal, two shots, two penalty minutes and three hits. Newhook had one assist, six shots and one hit. Müller recorded one assist, five shots and one hit. The goal gave the Fleet momentum entering the third period and came with 10 seconds left in the second.

Earlier in the second, Boston’s Mia Biotti was called for high sticking at 8:51, and Keller received an illegal body-checking penalty at 13:40. Ottawa’s penalty kill protected the lead before Hughes sealed the win. The teams combined for five minor penalties, with Ottawa taking two and Boston taking three.

Ottawa restored a two-goal advantage in the third period when Hughes scored at 18:30, with Larocque picking up her second assist. Hughes finished with one goal, one shot and one hit. Savolainen had one goal, two shots and one hit. Brianne Jenner added three shots for the Charge. The late goal gave Ottawa breathing room and quieted Boston’s comeback bid.

Philips anchored the win in net, earning the victory with 16 saves. She was named Ottawa’s top star. The Charge held Boston to one goal and kept the Fleet from finding an equalizer after Keller’s late second-period strike. Ottawa’s defensive effort helped secure the road victory and even the series.

Boston’s late push fell short. The Fleet had chances through Newhook and Müller, who combined for 11 shots, but could not beat Philips again. Keller’s goal remained Boston’s only scoring play, while Ottawa’s three-goal attack proved enough. Boston fell to 22-10 with the loss.

Ottawa’s win was its first of the playoff series. The Charge split the first two games at Tsongas Center and will return home for the next game. Boston, which entered with the stronger record, could not solve Philips after Keller’s goal. The Fleet’s best chances came from Newhook and Müller, but Ottawa’s defense held firm in the final period.

The series will resume in Ottawa for Game 3. Ottawa will host the next two games of the series. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Boston with a 60.9 percent probability to win.