Daryl Watts scores twice, including OT winner, as surging Sceptres sink Charge
The Toronto Sceptres clinched a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Charge in overtime on Sunday at Rogers Place, thanks to a game-winning goal from Daryl Watts just 51 seconds into the extra period. Watts, who had already scored earlier in the game on a power-play, proved to be the hero for Toronto in this intense Professional Women’s Hockey League matchup.
Julia Gosling also contributed to Toronto’s win with a power-play goal of her own, slipping the puck past Ottawa goalie Emerance Maschmeyer with just 23.4 seconds remaining in the second period. On the other side, Gabbie Hughes opened the scoring for Ottawa with a power-play marker in the first shot of the game, showcasing her offensive prowess early on.
The game remained tightly contested, with Ottawa managing to tie the score in the third period courtesy of Tereza Vanisova’s goal. The Czech forward showcased her skill by firing a shot from the slot past Toronto netminder Raygan Kirk, leveling the playing field.
The matchup took place as part of the PWHL’s Takeover Tour, with Edmonton hosting the fifth of nine neutral-site games scheduled for the 2024-25 season. The game featured a goaltending duel between Maschmeyer and Kirk, with both netminders putting in impressive performances to keep their teams in the game.
Notably, Toronto opted to rest reigning league MVP Natalie Spooner for the matchup, giving her a break as part of a strategic “load management” plan due to the team’s busy schedule. Spooner had recently returned from injury in a previous game against Minnesota, showcasing her importance to the Sceptres lineup.
In another exciting PWHL matchup, the Boston Fleet rallied past the Minnesota Frost to secure a 4-2 victory in their only home game in February. Jill Saulnier and Klara Peslarova played pivotal roles in the Fleet’s comeback, with Saulnier scoring a goal and an assist, and Peslarova impressing in her PWHL debut in goal.
Boston found themselves down 2-0 early on, but Saulnier’s contributions, along with goals from Susanna Tapani, Hilary Knight, and Alina Muller, propelled the Fleet to a comeback win. Peslarova’s strong performance in net, combined with the team’s offensive firepower, proved to be the difference-maker in the game.
Overall, both matches showcased the competitive nature of the PWHL and the skill and determination of the players involved. Fans were treated to thrilling overtime action in Toronto’s win over Ottawa, while Boston’s resilience and teamwork were on full display in their victory against Minnesota. The PWHL continues to showcase the best of women’s hockey, with each game providing excitement and entertainment for fans and players alike.
