Ottawa Takes Charge Against New York

NEWARK, NJ -- The Ottawa Charge played like anything but a last-place team with a resoundingly strong performance for a 3-1 victory over the New York Sirens in a PWHL match-up at the Prudential Center.

The visitors were a force to be reckoned with as they combined a fast-paced offense with a relentless 200-foot attack that had New York on its heels at the outset and then unable to establish any consistency in the matinee showdown at The Rock.

With the win, Ottawa ended its three-game losing streak and moved ahead of Boston and into a tie with the Toronto Sceptres with seven points. The Sirens (9 points) suffered their first regulation loss since a 4-2 setback to Boston on Dec. 8 at the Tsongas Center.

Emily Clark and Kateřina Mrázová each contributed a goal and an assist, while Shiann Darkangelo added a goal for Ottawa with help from Tereza Vanišová and Stephanie Markowski. The latter duo has teamed up for five assists this season.

Ottawa was clearly the aggressor in puck pursuit and persistent forechecking that resulted in a 3-0 lead on a first-period goal and two more within the first seven minutes of the second period. New York seemed off its game from the very beginning and was hurt by turnovers and sloppy play.

Charge netminder Emerance Maschmeyer, meanwhile, came up big with 33 of 34 saves in the contest. She withstood a gutsy rally attempt by the Sirens' squad in the third period. The only goal she allowed was to top draft pick Sarah Fillier, who beat her top shelf just 23 seconds into that final frame.

New York goalie Corinne Schroeder withstood the three-goal onslaught over the initial 27 minutes and held Ottawa down the rest of the way with an overall 19-save effort on 22 Ottawa shots. It was too little too late, however, as the Charge had done the damage.

There was little for the crowd of just under 3,000 (2,946) to erupt over until Fillier's third goal of the season off assists from Elle Hartje and Alex Carpenter.

Carpenter has at least one point in nine straight games dating back to last April. With her assist on Sunday, she now holds the longest active points streak in regular-season play surpassing Hilary Knight (eight for the Fleet).

The Charge's sustained pressure, and New York's inability to counter their opponent's constant puck pursuit, paid off just over six minutes into the action when Clark deposited her second goal of the season past Schroeder.

Ottawa's assistant captain took a short cross-ice feed from Kateřina Mrázová and found an opening inside the far post. It was Mrázová's third assist this season.

Ottawa continued to outbattle the hosts in the first period, but Schroeder handled the onrush with key saves including a dead-on chance by Ashton Bell from between the circles with 3.5 seconds left in the opening frame.

Ottawa didn't let up at the start of the second period and again came out with an aggressive mindset that was rewarded with a pair of goals within the first seven minutes much to the dismay of the home team fans at The Rock.

Despite being outplayed for much of the game, the Sirens did have numerous chances to light the lamp with four power-play opportunities but Maschmeyer was up to the task and held New York scoreless during those player advantages..

OF NOTE

The Charge have now scored at least three goals in all five games against New York over two seasons ... Kateřina Mrázová logged her fifth assist in those five games against the Sirens ... This past summer's top two draft picks Sarah Fillier (Sirens) and Danielle Serdachny (Charge) went head-to-head Sunday for the first time in the PWHL. Fillier prevailed with a goal while Serdachny was held off the scoreboard ... Sirens' forward Jill Saulnier was activated prior to Sunday's game against Ottawa. She had sustained an upper body injury in the team’s opening game against Minnesota on Dec. 1. In a corresponding roster move, the Sirens placed forward Kayla Vespa on the team’s Reserve Player list ... The Sirens hosted their first Unity Game of the season, dedicated to raising Mental Health Awareness.