Ottawa continues to outshoot and outplay their opponents, including a 19-3 third period shot differential against Montreal, but they again fell in overtime.
Ottawa continues to outshoot and outplay their opponents, including a 19-3 third period shot differential against Montreal, but they again fell in overtime.
Similar to opening day, PWHL Ottawa fell to Montreal in overtime, this time with a score of 2-1. Despite outshooting Montreal 44-24, including a 31-9 run in the final two periods, Ottawa dropped another game in extra time.
“Obviously, tough one not to get the win in OT," said defender Ashton Bell. "I'm just proud of our group and the way we came out and battle back to tie it up there. I think we just dominated the majority of the game and had real good scoring chances. Overall, I’m happy with the direction that we’re headed. I’m excited about the group that we have.”
In their first away game since January 13th, Ottawa had to acclimate themselves in Place Bell. With 8646 in attendance, it set a Canadian professional women's hockey record.
Montreal controlled the puck well in the first period and took advantage of Ottawa in the offensive zone. Laura Stacey took a pass from Erin Ambrose and skated in behind the net. As Stacey looked to wrap the puck, Emerance Maschmeyer wasn’t quick enough to get across and Stacey scored to put Montreal up 1-0 midway through the first period. The rivalry was on full display early, including a boarding penalty from Catherine Dubois on Emily Clark. Clark was not fond of the hit and was quick to shove Dubois after the penalty was called. Ottawa went into the first intermission down 1-0.
Ottawa looked to improve on their first period and still had a minute and 23 seconds on the Dubois minor. A turnover at the Montreal blueline created a chance for Laura Stacey, who went in on Maschmeyer. As Stacey was tripped by Jincy Roese, she crashed into Maschmeyer and knocked her down. Shaking off the collision, it took Maschmeyer several minutes to head back into the game. Despite the sigh of relief, Roese's trip on Stacey resulted in a penalty shot, meaning Maschmeyer not only had to shake off the hit, but immediately face Stacey again. Stacey came in with a lot of speed and elected to fake a shot. As Maschmeyer bit, it knocked her down, but she was able to use her glove to block the sliding puck from crossing the line. Ottawa used this momentum to outshoot Montreal 12-6 in the period but failed to capitalize.
In the third period, Ottawa found a new level. They hemmed in Montreal for minutes on multiple occasions, but still couldn’t get a puck behind Desbiens. Their play created a hooking penalty, which gave Ottawa their third power play of the game. On the power play, Brianne Jenner had the puck on her off-wing and sent a saucer pass onto the stick of Hayley Scamurra. In drop-shot form, Scamurra one timed it under the arm of Desbiens.
Ottawa had finally beat the star goaltender.
Ottawa continued to pressure, but Desbiens stood tall. Montreal survived an onslaught of shots against, being outshot 19-3 in the third. Both teams secured a point, similar to their match on January 2nd, again heading to overtime.
With five minutes to score a game winner, Montreal used their speed to carry the possession in extra time. Maschmeyer stepped up after a quiet third period, especially off of a couple of high danger opportunities from Laura Stacey. While Ottawa had possession in the offensive zone, a Katerina Mrazova turnover pushed the puck back toward the Ottawa end. Kati Tabin sent a backhand pass towards Ann-Sophie Bettez, who missed the pass, but the puck deflected off Maschmeyer and onto the stick of Maureen Murphy, who ripped a shot over Maschmeyer's shoulder for the winner.
It's the second time this season that Ottawa has fallen in overtime to Montreal, and it’s their third time losing in overtime this season. Ottawa drops to a record of 2-0-3-1.
“Everyone is such a natural competitor that in the heat of the moment, there’s a little frustration, of course. The games are so close and every point matters," said head coach Carla MacLeod. "Certainly there’s that piece. But I think we do a good job collectively exhaling and realizing that we are not in a sprint. This isn’t a short term, one week competition. This is a 24-game season. We’re just at the quarter mark right now. If we continue to outshoot teams two to one… I’m not a big math person, but I like our odds.”
The team will have a longer layoff, with their next game against New York on February 4th. It will be their last game before another break, with many of the players travelling to the NHL All-Star Game weekend. Among those representing Ottawa are Emily Clark (LW), Brianne Jenner (C), Savannah Harmon (LD) and Emerance Maschmeyer (G).