OTTAWA, ON – Susanna Tapani scored her first two goals of the season, including the game-winner, as Minnesota rallied from a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 in overtime on the road against Ottawa on Wednesday.
Tapani scored 1:57 into the extra frame, when the forward carried the puck into Ottawa’s zone and shot the puck from the outside hash marks— the puck ricocheted off an Ottawa player and flipped up-and-over Emerance Maschmeyer’s shoulder to end the game 3-2.
The three-time Finnish Olympian first got on the board at the 3:21 mark of the second period with a powerplay goal assisted by Taylor Heise and Lee Stecklein. Tapani took the cross-ice feed from Heise and wristed the puck far-side and into the back of the net, which brought Minnesota to within one goal.
The goal was Minnesota’s first on the powerplay this season after the team went 0/8 in their first five games played.
The crowd at TD Place in Ottawa was treated to a first period lead for the second time in two home games, as Ottawa’s first round draft pick Savannah Harmon was first on the board just 3:41 into the game. The goal was Harmon’s first of the year.
On the play, forward Emily Clark recorded the assist after she rushed the puck from her own end and into the offensive zone, then fed the puck to Harmon who roofed it past Nicole Hensley.
Less than ten minutes later, Lexie Adzija scored a powerplay goal, assisted by Jincy Roese and Kateřina Mrázová, at 10:55 to put Ottawa up 2-0. The goal—Adzija’s first of the season and first-ever professional mark— came after a Roese shot from the point created a rebound, which Adzija tapped home.
After Tapani’s 2-1 goal earlier in the frame, Grace Zumwinkle evened the score at 2-2 with a shorthanded goal at 11:20 in the second period.
On the penalty kill, Zumwinkle cut to the net and roofed the puck from in tight past Maschmeyer, which also freed Tapani from the box. This is the third ‘jailbreak’ shorthanded goal in the PWHL this season and Zumwinkle’s league-leading fifth tally. Kelly Pannek got the lone assist on the goal, her third helper of the season.
After neither team could capitalize in the third period, the game required 3-on-3 overtime, the second OT game each team has played this season.
Ottawa’s homestand continues with back-to-back games against Toronto and Boston on January 23 and 24. Minnesota’s next game is a home date with Montréal on January 24.
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 17: Ottawa Forward Daryl Watts (9) battles Ottawa Defender Aneta Tejralova (2) while skating with the puck during first period Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) action between Minnesota and Ottawa on January 17, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 17: Minnesota Forward Taylor Heise (27) battles Ottawa Forward Gabbie Hughes (17) during first period Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) action between Minnesota and Ottawa on January 17, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 17: Ottawa Forward Lexie Adzija (88) skates with the puck during first period Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) action between Minnesota and Ottawa on January 17, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 17: Ottawa Forward Lexie Adzija (88) battles Minnesota Forward Susanna Tapani (77) while looking for a rebound off Goalie Nicole Hensley (29) during first period Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) action between Minnesota and Ottawa on January 17, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 17: Minnesota Forward Susanna Tapani (77) celebrates her goal with Forward Kendall Coyne Schofield (26) and Forward Michela Cava (86) during second period Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) action between Minnesota and Ottawa on January 17, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 17: Ottawa Defender Ashton Bell (21) skates with the puck chased by Minnesota Forward Grace Zumwinkle (13) during second period Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) action between Minnesota and Ottawa on January 17, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 17: Ottawa Goalie Emerance Maschmeyer (38) looks to make a save during second period Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) action between Minnesota and Ottawa on January 17, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 17: Ottawa Defender Jincy Roese (71) skates the puck around the net chased by Minnesota Forward Kelly Pannek (12)during second period Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) action between Minnesota and Ottawa on January 17, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 17: Minnesota Goalie Nicole Hensley (29) makes a save during third period Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) action between Minnesota and Ottawa on January 17, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 17: Ottawa Defender Amanda Boulier (28) before a face-off during third period Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) action between Minnesota and Ottawa on January 17, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
