The Ottawa Charge were playing in a must win game for the 2024-25 PWHL playoff hopes. If loss would have sent Ottawa 11 points down from the Minnesota Frost. Instead, the Charge picked up three points in regulation to move within five points of the final playoff spot. They did so by beating the Frost 3-2.
Alexa Vasko was crucial in Ottawa’s success scoring her first two goals of the season for Ottawa. The opening goal of the game was scored by Ottawa captain Brianne Jenner on the power play. Vasko added to the Charge’s lead later in the first giving her team a 2-0 lead.
After a scoreless second however, Minnesota found life with Taylor Heise scoring to pull the Frost within one. Following the goal, Ottawa goalie Emerance Maschmeyer needed to be helped off the ice by training staff. She did not return to the game. On their first shot against Gwyneth Philips who came into the game in relief, Claire Thompson found the back of the net for Minnesota to tie the game.
Minnesota got the chance to complete the comeback late in the game going on a power play. Alexa Vasko, however, played spoiler. After Ronja Savolainen made a diving play to get the puck to Vasko, she scored her second of the night and the season shorthanded. It was a “jailbreak” goal ending their penalty, and it proved to be the game winner.
“It’s huge at this point of the season,” said Ottawa captain Brianne Jenner of the win. “Our goal is to get a playoff spot, but we also have to figure out how we play our playoff hockey style, and I thought tonight, we had some glimpses of that. We had a balance of calm, but also some desperation and urgency to make plays, especially in the end to kind of seal that win.”
Emerance Maschmeyer’s Injury Concerning
Emerance Maschmeyer has been the Ottawa Charge’s starting goalie all season. Her exit from the game was an unwelcomed sight for her teammates and Charge fans. It came shortly after Maschmeyer became the first goalie in PWHL history to record 1000 career saves.
“It’s part of the game, but it feels like we keep on facing adversity,” said Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod of the injury. “For us as a group, it continues to form us as a team. We’ve got to do this together. In that moment, we really tried to rally the girls and say let’s win this one for Masch. We’ll get an assessment on her tomorrow. She’s an incredible leader on this team.”
Gwyneth Philips has been solid this season for Ottawa as a rookie. She was the top goaltender selected in the 2024 PWHL Draft. Philips was a back-to-back NCAA First Team All-American selection while playing for Northeastern. If Maschmeyer remains out, Ottawa will count on Philips down the stretch. The team could also be looking for another goaltender with only three days remaining before the PWHL roster freeze.
