PWHL Ottawa believes in their process, but frustration is rising. The team continues to trust what they're doing, but it seems as though the "hockey gods" are against PWHL Ottawa.
It was January 23rd. PWHL Ottawa won 3-1 against their arch-rivals PWHL Toronto. Lexie Adzija scored a jailbreak goal on an empty net and the team did the viking thunder clap with the Ottawa fans rapturously celebrating from the stands. All was well.
Unfortunately, since then, PWHL Ottawa has been beaten five straight times going 0-0-2-3 to be precise. They have blown a three goal lead in the last five minutes against PWHL New York, blown another lead against PWHL Minnesota, and have only scored three goals or more once in this dismal stretch.
For the players and coaches it’s been the “hockey gods” as PWHL Ottawa’s coach Carla MacLeod muttered to the media after Ottawa’s fifth straight loss on Saturday.
“I have not been a part of the team that's ever witnessed this as far as we can't get a bounce. But we will,” said MacLeod.
The resounding message to the team from MacLeod has been to “stay with it.” Ottawa has lost seven games this season, each by a single goal. It’s almost statistically impossible. Almost.
The truth is, it’s not only the “hockey gods” and puck luck that have been the problem.
Even before the season began, pundits and fans alike wondered where their scoring would come from.
Ottawa was always supposed to win with depth, great defense and goaltending. They have got good goaltending and defense but the depth has not lit the lamp. Ottawa has the least number of goals scored this season, scoring just 1.6 goals per game in their last five contests.
“We're doing a lot of things right,” says Emily Clark the star forward on PWHL Ottawa. But she feels there are just a few things the team needs to do. “Just burying some of those rebound chances, getting more people and pucks to the net front.”
Clark, who scored on Saturday, has been good, producing five points in nine games. Brianne Jenner was a prized free agent signing; she has been a great leader on and off the ice, but has only three points.
Lexie Adzija, a late draft pick, leads the team in points with six in nine games. Players such Daryl Watts, Becca Gilmore, Akane Shiga, and Katerina Mrazova have combined for just six points between them.
“We have to produce more. We know that,” said MacLeod.
The good news is that Ottawa has outshot their opponents or at least tied them in shots in all five of their losses. Their process has been good which is something the coaches and players like to emphasize.
“It's frustrating and we want to win. We are competitors but there's a lot of belief in our locker room,” said Clark.