OTTAWA, Ontario — Tereza Vanisova showcased an exceptional performance with a hat trick, while Gabbie Hughes netted her first two goals of the season and contributed with an assist, leading the Ottawa Charge to a remarkable 8-3 victory against the Minnesota Frost on Thursday night.
The Charge saw additional contributions from Brianne Jenner, Mannon McMahon, and Victoria Bach, who all added to the scoreboard. Shiann Darkangelo stood out with three assists, and Rebecca Leslie aided with two more. Emerance Maschmeyer proved her worth in goal by making 23 crucial saves throughout the match.
On the other side of the rink, Michela Cava managed to score a goal and provide an assist for Minnesota, while Sophie Jaques and Britta Curl-Salemme also found the back of the net. In goal, both Nicole Hensley and Maddie Rooney were kept busy, managing 13 saves each.
With this victory, the Ottawa Charge climbed from the bottom of the Professional Women’s Hockey League standings into a playoff spot, marking a significant turnaround in their season’s fortunes. However, the game was not without its setbacks as Ashton Bell, a defender for the Canadian national team, suffered an injury in the first period and was unable to return.
Key takeaways from the match highlighted the Charge’s improved offensive performance following their previous loss. Coach Carla MacLeod had previously expressed confidence in her team’s ability to generate scoring, and her players certainly proved her right on this night.
A notable moment during the game was when Jenner scored her second goal, making the score 7-2; her teammates erupted in celebration despite it being a later goal in a dominating win.
Statistically, Gabbie Hughes made a significant impact by achieving three points in this game, surpassing her previous season total accumulated over the previous 14 games. The Minnesota native had entered the match with just two assists to her name.
Looking ahead, the Minnesota Frost will face the Boston Fleet on Sunday, while the Ottawa Charge are set to take on the Toronto Sceptres on the same day in Edmonton, as part of the PWHL Takeover Tour.
