PWHL Ottawa Players Performing Well At Worlds

PWHL Ottawa has 11 players competing at the IIHF World Championships in Utica. Chris Sinclair breaks down how each player from Ottawa's roster has performed on the international stage through the preliminary round.

The Women’s World Championships are always an exciting tournament, full of drama, upsets, great goals and even better saves and this year is no different. What is different this year is that, with the creation of the PWHL, fans have been able to watch their favorite players compete on a more regular basis, which has ultimately generated even more fan engagement than in prior years.

PWHL Ottawa is well represented, with a total of 11 players, including the injured Katerina Mrázová, along with head coach Carla MacLeod and assistant Cassea Schols, both with Czechia. Now that the preliminary round is complete, and ahead of the quarterfinals, let’s take this opportunity to reflect on the tournament results for each of Ottawa’s players.

(Forward, Czechia, 1 goal, 1 assist) Tejralová has had the kind of tournament many expected. Through four games, she’s scored two points, but has quietly been good in her own zone. She isn’t someone who is going to score a lot of points, but her consistency in the backend, along with her leadership abilities, are elements to her game that make her so important to the success of the Czechia program. Her game against the Swiss was her best of the tournament and she showcased an element few people have been talking about: her incredible gap control and foot speed.

(Forward, Czechia, 1 goal, 1 assist) Vanišová, it’s safe to say, has not had the type of tournament she would have liked, as she was counted on even more so for goals with the absence of Katerina Mrázová. Her offensive game was taking off during her time with Montreal, but she has since come back down to Earth, having last scored a goal on February 24 against Ottawa. She’s been effective at driving opponents a little crazy and drawing penalties, but that’s been about it thus far. That was, until her final game against Switzerland, as she really found her scoring touch in the game and looked like the offensive threat she’s known to be.

(Defender, USA, 0 goals, 1 assist) Despite her point total, Harmon has done everything the team asked her to do and has been so important to their success. She’s played alongside Megan Keller in the top pairing and has looked great. When she left late in the game against Finland, American fans held their collective breath until her name was listed against Canada. She isn’t one to score a ton of points, but she reliable in her own zone, which includes a +4 rating in this tournament.

(Forward, USA, 0 goals, 1 assist) Scamurra is a forward who may not always appear on the scoresheet but does all the little things so well, and she’s demonstrated that throughout this tournament. She’s been moved up and down the lineup, so has played limited minutes but has been effective with those minutes with good backchecks, strong forechecks and frustrating opponents with her speed and stick handling abilities.

(Forward, Japan, 2 goals, 3 assists) Shiga continues to showcase her scoring touch and why she’s so critical to the success of this program. She’s consistently relied upon by Japan to be one of their top goal scorers and she’s shown that so far in this tournament. Her small size makes her a deceiving player and a surprisingly physical one to boot.

(Goaltender, Germany, 3-0, .973 SV%, 0.67 GAA) Abstreiter has been so consistent throughout this tournament. She’s square to the puck, brings a calming presence to the team, and makes the saves that keep the team in the game, including a 32 save shutout against Sweden. She currently sits second in the tournament, behind Canada’s Ann-Renee Desbiens, with a 0.67 goals against average.

(Forward, Canada, 1 goal, 1 assist) Playing on the top line, alongside Poulin and Fillier, Jenner would likely want to have a few more points under her belt in this tournament, but she’s been really solid for Canada. She’s generating great plays and being so aggressive in her own zone. She’s a leader on this team and it shows. The calmness that she brings to her own game is something the team feeds off of.

(Defender, Canada, 0 goals, 1 assist) Bell, much like her teammate with PWHL Ottawa Savannah Harmon, quietly has consistent games and that’s no different in this tournament. She’s been paired with Nicole Gosling and has been really effective in her own zone, clearing pucks and making smart defensive plays. She’s played really great minutes on that bottom pairing and is someone who can play in all situations.

(Forward, Canada, 0 goals, 0 assists) Seeing that point total for a player of Clark’s ilk may seem alarming, but she’s still had a good tournament. She’s frustrated the opponents, helped draw penalties and isn’t afraid to drive the net to create plays. She’s so skilled with her stick and has been able to make plays out of nothing. That being said, part of the success of this team will result from her scoring more points, especially once the team begins the quarterfinals.

(Goaltender, Canada, 1-0, 1.000 SV%, 0.00 GAA) Maschmeyer has only played one game this tournament, but looked solid against Switzerland, earning a 17 save shutout. She showcased her athleticism, how easily she tracks pucks, along with her stick handling abilities.