OTTAWA, ON – Daryl Watts had her first PWHL hat trick and Brianne Jenner had a goal and two assists as Ottawa won 5-3 at The Arena at TD Place on Saturday afternoon, ending Toronto’s win streak at 11 games.
This is the first loss for Toronto since January 23, also in Ottawa.
Toronto got out to a 2-0 lead in the second period with two goals from league leader Natalie Spooner— her 14th and 15th of the season— but Ottawa’s comeback started with just five seconds remaining in the frame.
Watts got the goal, a powerplay marker, to make the game 2-1 at 19:55 of the second period. Jenner provided the primary assist on the tally, her first point of the contest.
With time dwindling in the period, Ottawa rushed the puck up the ice and into Toronto’s zone. Jenner cut to the middle of the ice before feeding the puck to Watts, who was alone in the slot, snapping a shot under Kristen Campbell’s blocker to cut the deficit to one goal.
Hayley Scamurra evened the game 38 seconds into the third period, her fourth goal of the season. The marker was scored on a scramble in front and was assisted by Emily Clark and Aneta Tejralová.
Ottawa took their first lead of the game at 8:24 of the third off the stick of Jenner, her second point of the afternoon.
Linemate Kateřina Mrázová picked up an errant pass at the boards, and fed Jenner who was heading towards the net— Jenner got her stick on the puck backdoor, putting it past Campbell to give Ottawa the 3-2 advantage.
Ottawa continued to press, with Watts scoring her second of the game and her team’s third goal of the final frame, at 14:58.
Savannah Harmon intercepted a Toronto pass at the offensive blue line and banked the puck up to Watts, who drove the net before roofing it short side over Campbell’s glove to give her team a 4-2 lead.
After Sarah Nurse scored at 16:21 to make the game 4-3, it was Watts and Jenner who combined to seal the victory for Ottawa.
With Campbell on the bench for the extra attacker, Ottawa was able to clear the puck into the neutral zone. Jenner secured the puck and tapped it to Watts, who found the angle inside the blue line to make the game 5-3 with her third goal of the game. Mrázová recorded her second assist of the contest on the goal.
Emerance Maschmeyer made 19 saves to record her seventh win of the season. Campbell made 20 saves in the loss, her first defeat since January 17 against Boston.
Up next, both teams begin their IIHF International Break. Toronto returns to game action on Thursday, April 18 when they look to get back in the win column against Boston at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell. Ottawa then hosts Minnesota on Saturday, April 20.
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 23: Toronto Forward Victoria Bach (51) takes a shot during first period Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) action between Toronto and Ottawa on March 23, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 23: Ottawa Defender Emma Buckles (24) skates in the defensive zone during first period Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) action between Toronto and Ottawa on March 23, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 23: Ottawa Forward Emily Clark (26) braces for a potential hit by Toronto Forward Emma Maltais (27) during first period Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) action between Toronto and Ottawa on March 23, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 23: Ottawa Forward Becca Gilmore (10) is helped off the ice by Ottawa Forward Hayley Scamurra (14) and Athletic Therapist Amanda Deluca
during first period Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) action between Toronto and Ottawa on March 23, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 23: Ottawa Forward Daryl Watts (9) celebrates her goal with Forward Brianne Jenner (19) during second period Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) action between Toronto and Ottawa on March 23, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 23: Toronto Forward Maggie Connors (22) applies pressure during third period Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) action between Toronto and Ottawa on March 23, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 23: Ottawa Defender Aneta Tejralova (2) keeps eyes on the high puck during third period Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) action between Toronto and Ottawa on March 23, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 23: Ottawa Defender Jincy Roese (71) skates with the puck during third period Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) action between Toronto and Ottawa on March 23, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 23: Ottawa Goalie Emerance Maschmeyer (38) looks to a save during third period Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) action between Toronto and Ottawa on March 23, 2024, at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
