TORONTO, ON (January 13, 2024) — Ottawa claimed the first-ever PWHL Battle of Ontario— and the team’s first ever win— on Saturday by a score of 5-1, powered by a 3-0 first period lead, with goals from Kateřina Mrázová, Gabbie Hughes and Daryl Watts.
Emerance Maschmeyer was solid in Ottawa’s net, turning aside 23 Toronto shots in the game, including 13 in the second frame. Maschmeyer also recorded the first goalie assist in PWHL history by way of her primary assist on a stretch pass to Natalie Snodgrass, who scored on the rush for her first of the year.
Mrázová’s first period goal at 9:29 was the first of two powerplay goals just 48 seconds apart for Ottawa, which gave her team a 1-0 lead on the 5-on-3 advantage. Hughes then scored her first PWHL goal, and the eventual game-winner, at 10:17 with the 5-on-4 advantage to silence the exuberant crowd at Mattamy Athletic Centre.
Ottawa finished their strong first period with Watts’ first goal of the season at 19:44, assisted by Zoe Boyd and Ashton Bell.
Goaltender Kristen Campbell was replaced with Erica Howe to start the second period. Howe made 13 saves in relief.
Toronto forward Natalie Spooner, who scored the team’s first-ever goal on January 5 against New York, got the home team on the board early in the second at 1:38 to cut the lead to 3-1. The goal is Toronto’s first on home ice after the team was shut out 4-0 in their opener on January 1.
Snodgrass restored the 3-goal-lead at 5:40 in the frame on a 3-on-1 rush as the forward was able to capitalize on a Toronto line change.
Despite a strong second half of the second period for Toronto, in which the team out-chanced Ottawa, Maschmeyer stood tall for her team and preserved the 4-1 lead after two.
Hughes put the game away at 11:34 in the third period with her second goal of the match. Linemate Mikyla Grant-Mentis recorded her second assist of the game on the goal, and defender Savannah Harmon picked up her first PWHL point with the secondary assist.
Next up, Ottawa hosts unbeaten Minnesota on January 17, the team’s first home game since their sold-out opener on January 2. That same night, Toronto looks to right the ship when Boston comes to town.
NOTES:
- Three Stars: 1) Gabbie Hughes 2) Emerance Maschmeyer 3) Mikyla Grant-Mentis
- Final shots were 26-24 in favour of Ottawa – Ottawa had the advantage in the first (11-5) while Toronto had the advantage in the second (14-11) and third (5-4).
- Ottawa got out to 8-0 and 10-1 shot advantages in the first period —Toronto didn’t register their first shot until the 11:50 mark.
- Toronto captain Blayre Turnbull led all players with 4 shots on goal — Teammate Maude Poulin-Labelle registered three, as did four Ottawa players: Natlalie Snodgrass, Hayley Scamurra, Gabbie Hughes, and Fanni Garát-Gasparics.
- Ottawa has scored first in both of their games this season —Scamurra scored in their January 2 opener to give the team a 1-0 lead.
- Toronto has yet to score first in any of their first 4 games — The team has yet to score a first period goal.
- Mrázová’s goal with the 5-on-3 advantage was the first in PWHL history.
- Daryl Watts (goal) and Mikyla Grant-Mentis (assist) each record their first PWHL points in their hometown debuts.
- Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow performed the ceremonial puck-drop before the game.
- Attendance for the game was 2,417.
