Tereza Vanišová scored a hat trick, to help earn the Ottawa Charge a crucial hat trick of points. Ottawa beat the New York Sirens in front of a season-high 4,767 fans at the Prudential Center pulling within two points of fourth place Minnesota. Ottawa has a game in hand on Minnesota, meaning they own their own playoff fate.
For Vanišová, her second hat trick of the season could not have come at a better time.
“It always feels good to score goals. I’m just glad we won this game,” said Vanišová. “It’s very important for us, because now, every game is like a playoff game for us. This win was huge.”
“The mentality. It is playoff hockey at this point. It’s about learning to embrace that,” said Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod. “It comes with a gritty style of play. That’s what our crew did really well. Puck possession made the difference for us today. We had some big kills on our penalties all the way to the end with that six on four.”
Ottawa captain Brianne Jenner scored the game’s opening goal taking a cross ice pass from Gabbie Hughes. Ella Shelton tied the game at 1-1 on the power play before the frame was over. In the second, Vanišová scored twice to give Ottawa a 3-1 lead. After Abby Roque scored a highlight reel “Michigan” goal, Tereza Vanišová completed her hat trick, and Emily Clark added insurance to cap a 5-2 win.
Roque Scores Highlight Reel Goal
Roque scored a highlight reel lacrosse-style goal, typically referred to as a “Michigan” goal, to pull the New York Sirens closer. It was not, however, enough for the Sirens. New York couldn’t solve Ottawa rookie Gwyneth Philips who made 34 saves.
“Yeah, it’s cool, obviously,” said Roque of scoring the goal. “Would’ve been a little better if we had made the comeback from there, but it’s something that has become a joke and we say every day when I come to the rink: ‘Michigan today,’ and I don’t actually mean it, but the opportunity presented itself, so I had to try. Honestly, there was a lot around the net and I just I knew I had time behind the net to pick it up, I thought I may as well. Obviously, the goalie is reverse handed so I had to put it in.”
New York and Ottawa play again Tuesday.
