The final stop on the PWHL Takeover Tour is in the books and it came with significant on-ice and in-standings implications for both teams involved. The Ottawa Charge, on the back of Tereza Vanišová’s two goals within 32 seconds, came away with a 2-1 win over the Boston Fleet in St. Louis.
Boston opened the scoring on a Susanna Tapani goal early, but the red hot Vanišová wasted no time late in the third period evening the score and pulling her team ahead. Gwyneth Philips was also spectacular for Ottawa making 27 saves.
More important than the individual performances of Ottawa’s leaders was the result of the game. The win lifted Ottawa into lone possession of fourth overall in the PWHL. They’re now only four points back of the Fleet as the PWHL playoff race tightens.
Takeover Tour Memorable
The nine stops on the PWHL’s Takeover Tour this season exceeded all expectations for players, coaches, and fans. While St. Louis’ crowd of 8,578 narrowly avoided being the lowest attended Takeover Tour game this season beating only Buffalo, the series itself drew 123,061 fans to nine games.
“I think all these Takeover Tour games are allowing us is to expose the game to the crowds and more people, but I think you guys can be so proud here in St. Louis–– you got to see who the role models for the young players can be,” said Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod. “It’s not just the girls who are watching, but the boys will also want to grow up and do like Jincy Roese as well. These players get the opportunity to come home and be on that ice, where she watched the Blues so much. Now, she’s in her own pro league. St. Louis was great.”
Ottawa defender Jincy Roese grew up playing her minor hockey in St. Louis. While Boston didn’t get the result they wanted, the Fleet also understand the importance of each Takeover Tour game in growing their league and sport.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase how amazing this sport is, how much we’ve grown, how fast and physical this game is,” said Boston head coach Courtney Kessel. “For us to be able to get out to different markets, not just the ones that are home for us, is huge for our sport and really shows how far we’ve come.”
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