Ottawa Local Kayle Osborne Collects First PWHL Shutout In Homecoming

Ottawa local Kayle Osborne picked up her first career PWHL shutout and win in just her second start for the New York Sirens, defeating the Ottawa Charge 3-0.

The 22-year-old rookie, who hails from Ottawa suburb Barrhaven, turned aside all 31 shots the Charge mustered to record New York’s league-leading third shutout. Veteran netminder Corinne Schroeder recorded the other two.

Osborne grew up in Ottawa playing boys' 'AAA' for the Upper Canada Cyclones before suiting up in the OWHL for the Ottawa Lady Senators. After four seasons in the NCAA with Colgate University, New York picked her in the fifth round, 28th overall in the 2024 PWHL Draft.

“It’s pretty cool to do it in your hometown,” Osborne said. “We really needed a big game on the road tonight and we’re at the end of a long road trip, so I think our team play tonight was pretty good.”

Osborne previously made her PWHL debut on Jan. 7, also against the Charge. She stopped 34 shots in a 3-2 loss.

“She gave us a chance to win that night … and that's what she does,” Sirens head coach Greg Fargo said of her PWHL debut. Fargo previously coached Osborne, as well as Ottawa’s Danielle Serdachny, at Colgate University.

This time around, Osborne's first-star performance vaulted the Sirens over the Charge for possession of third place in the PWHL standings.

“She's played goal for me for a long time and I know every night that she's in there, she's gonna give her team a chance to win and that’s all you can ask from any goalie that’s behind you,” Fargo said.

Although Ottawa struggled to mount dangerous offensive chances late into the game, Osborne was relied upon early in the first frame. She made a 10-bell save on Jocelyne Larocque to keep the puck out of the net.

“I think I just kind of blacked out, but just glad it didn't go in,” Osborne said, laughing.

In both her PWHL starts, Osborne duelled with Ottawa’s Emerance Maschmeyer, who has been widely regarded as the PWHL’s best goaltender and MVP frontrunner more than halfway through the season. The goalies are now even with one win apiece.

Even after being shutout, Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod recognized Osborne's special feat.

“It’s like smiling on a penalty,” MacLeod said. “She played well and you gotta give kudos when players play well.”

New York forward Alex Carpenter, who netted a power-play goal and second star honours, raved about her teammate’s performance.

“I just felt so confident with her behind us and sometimes the nerves can probably get the better of you playing in your hometown in front of so many family and friends but I think she took the excitement of it and it showed today,” she said.

Osborne said she had between 20 and 30 people waiting for her after the game. However, she only found out she was starting in Ottawa the day prior at practice, according to Fargo.

“She didn’t get the start because it’s her hometown, she got the start because she’s earned it.”