Ottawa Charge Recap: Week 1

This past Saturday marked the dawn of the PWHL's second season, this time with team names and logos, and (hopefully) slightly less chaos.

The Ottawa Charge have a new look this season, and I'm not just talking about the new threads. They've had a lot of roster turnover, notably losing Daryl Watts and Akane Shiga and bringing in Danielle Serdachny. A lot of teams improved over the offseason, with so much new talent coming in via the draft, so we'll have to see how Ottawa stacks up against them. Game 1 wasn't the best start, but they held their own despite missing a few key players.

Last Week: Charge 3, Victoire 4 (SO)

• The Charge kicked off their season in Laval on Saturday, as they visited the Montreal Victoire. 
• Despite missing captain Brianne Jenner and defender Zoe Boyd, Ottawa wasn’t as badly outmatched as the shot clock would indicate. They did a good job of limiting high-danger chances.
• That said, Emerance Maschmeyer was a beast. She was steady all night long, and came up big when the Charge needed her to. A great start to the season for a player who struggled at times last year.
• It was a very physical game, with the Charge seemingly especially eager to target noted Ottawa-killer Laura Stacey. There were lots of post-whistle scrums, and so many penalties it felt like we barely spent any time at even strength.
• Ottawa’s first goal of the season was a weird one, coming about halfway through the first period. It was initially credited to Anna Meixner, but eventually given to Emily Clark. It’s too bad Meixner got her first PWHL goal taken away, but I’m sure she’ll get more - and nicer - opportunities.

🚨 Emily Clark (1)
🍎🍏 Unassisted pic.twitter.com/heB4WvElUK

— Ottawa Charge (@PWHL_Ottawa) November 30, 2024

• It was also a huge relief to see the Charge score a garbage goal, something they really struggled with last season. I noticed they were crashing the net a lot more in this game than they ever have before, so that must be something they’ve been working on.
• The second Charge goal was also a bit of a strange bounce - again, a very good thing! - this time credited to Danielle Serdachny! Not the prettiest first PWHL goal in the world, but we’ll take it!

🚨 Danielle Serdachny (1)
🍎 Ronja Savolainen
🍏 Gabbie Hughes pic.twitter.com/akzTXFBnOp

— Ottawa Charge (@PWHL_Ottawa) November 30, 2024

• Unfortunately, the two goal lead was short-lived, as Montreal tied things up pretty quickly in the second period.
• Tereza Vanišová, formerly of Montreal, got the lead back late in the second with the prettiest goal of this second Ottawa Charge season, picking up a stretch pass from Aneta Tejralová to go on a breakaway.

🚨 Tereza Vanišová (1)
🍎🍏 Aneta Tejralová pic.twitter.com/ZZil4pfwuL

— Ottawa Charge (@PWHL_Ottawa) November 30, 2024

• Of course, Montreal then tied it with a powerplay marker early in the third.
• Regulation solved nothing, and a thrilling overtime didn’t produce any goals either, so we were off to a shootout. After four shooters for each team, it was starting to look like this would be a real marathon shootout, as neither goalie was letting anything in. Then Montreal put Poulin back in the lineup for their fifth shot, and, well, what can you do.
• All eyes were on Serdachny as the second overall pick played her first ever PWHL game. I thought she played really well - she’s one of the taller players in the league, and I really liked how strong she looked with the puck. She got that first goal by being a big netfront presence. I can’t wait to see more from her.
• However, my biggest standout of game 1 was easily Ronja Savolainen. The Finnish defender made so many good defensive plays, really saving the game at some points. She also did amazing things in the offensive zone. Her defense partner, Aneta Tejralová, had a fantastic game as well. The team was noticeably so much better with them on the ice. I’m really, really impressed with that pairing.
• Anna Meixner also had a great game, even though she didn't get her first goal after all.

The Week Ahead

• We’re getting more all-Canadian matchups this week, as the Charge host Toronto on Tuesday at TD place, and Montreal on Friday at the CTC.
• The Sceptres won their first game of the season, 3-1 over Boston. They got goals from Sarah Nurse, Hannah Miller and Emma Maltais. Their roster hasn’t changed much from the team that finished first in the regular season last year, except for. Well.
• This will be Daryl Watts’s grand return to Ottawa, after leaving as a free agent during the offseason. I, personally, am still not ready to deal with it.
• Ottawa had Toronto’s number last season, but that was mainly thanks to Watts, who really, really seemed to hate that team. And of course, the last time we saw them was that devastating final game of the season…
• The Toronto game will also be the home opener, so I’m jealous of everyone who will be in attendance.
• The game will start at 7pm, and will be broadcast exclusively on Amazon Prime.
• The Montreal game will, of course, be a rematch of Saturday’s season opener. Pretty much every game between these two teams has been close with Montreal winning, so it should be a fun time at the CTC!
• That will also be a 7pm start, broadcast on TSN and RDS.