Ottawa Charge Recap: Week 6

This week's two losses have made it even more obvious just now much this team relies on their goaltender. They're just good enough to keep things close, but this team is simply not as good as the rest of the league.

Last Week: Toronto 4, Ottawa 2

• Things started off well enough. The Charge killed off an early penalty, then went to the powerplay themselves. They put a ton of pressure on their opponents in the offensive zone, and capitalized on a turnover to take an early lead.

🚨 Mannon McMahon (2)
🍎🍏 Victoria Bach pic.twitter.com/FZX9ltqgGN

— Ottawa Charge (@PWHL_Ottawa) January 15, 2025

• Unfortunately, the Sceptres tied things up soon after. They were far and away the better team, and it was really just Emerance Maschmeyer keeping the Charge in the game.
• The second period was no better. Toronto got another goal about halfway through, to take the lead for the first time.
• Despite looking terrible, the Charge got an extremely lucky break not long after the second Sceptres goal. A bunch of players were battling for the puck along the boards, and somehow the puck bounced off a Toronto player and into the net. I still don't understand how it happened.

🚨 Mannon McMahon (3)
🍎🍏 Unassisted pic.twitter.com/bC9XkfCALH

— Ottawa Charge (@PWHL_Ottawa) January 15, 2025

• Their luck ran out after that. Toronto scored about halfway through the third period to take the lead again.
• It still felt possible for Maschmeyer to steal the game, but unfortunately that's not how things turned out. Ottawa couldn't get the equalizer, and Toronto sealed the deal with an empty netter.
• The game had no business being that close. The Charge (Emerance Maschmeyer excluded) absolutely deserved the regulation loss.

Last Week: Montreal 2, Ottawa 1

• The Charge took on the Victoire in the nation’s capital (not that one) as part of the PWHL’s takeover tour.
• Tragically, the Québec crowd favoured the Victoire. I was hoping the Quebec/Montreal rivalry would outweigh Québecois solidarity, but clearly the fans didn’t see my vision.
• It was a very evenly-matched game, as games between these two teams tend to be. Emerance Maschmeyer was impressive as always, stopping several impressive Montreal chances, but Ottawa got a few opportunities of their own. Tereza Vanisova stood out especially.
• Brianne Jenner got hurt after a hit late in the first period, but thankfully was back on the ice for the second. Let’s hope she’s okay.
• Despite almost two periods without any goals, it was a highly entertaining game.
• Montreal eventually broke the tie at the very end of the second period, on a powerplay. It was Catherine Dubois who scored in her hometown, which was cool or something. I’m too much of a hater to appreciate it.
• Ottawa got one back about halfway through the third period. Zoe Boyd took the shot from the point, but Shiann Darkangelo tipped it in.

🚨 Shiann Darkangelo (4)
🍎 Zoe Boyd
🍏 Stephanie Markowski pic.twitter.com/DMfMtVHpsT

— Ottawa Charge (@PWHL_Ottawa) January 19, 2025

• Unfortunately, the tie was short lived. Montreal got the lead back only a few minutes later.
• The Charge had plenty of time to even the score again, but it just didn’t happen. Montreal took home the 3 points with a regulation win.
• Why can’t we beat this team? What is it about them? And why do we always lose by one goal?

The Week Ahead

• The Charge only play one game next week! They'll head to Minnesota on Tuesday to take on the defending Walter Cup champs.
• This will be the second meeting of the season between the two teams, with the Frost having won the first one, 5-2.
• Minnesota will also be looking to snap a two-game losing streak.
• Unfortunately, this is yet another game that overlaps completely with a Sens game. It's very frustrating how many times that's happened this season.
• The game starts at 7pm, and will be broadcast on Amazon Prime. For those who don't have a Prime subscription, you can get a VPN and watch it on the PWHL YouTube channel.