Toronto Sceptres forward Daryl Watts celebrates with teammate Kali Flanagan after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime, leading their team to a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Charge in Edmonton on Sunday. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)
Daryl Watts led the Toronto Sceptres to a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against the Ottawa Charge in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) on Sunday at Rogers Place. She netted the game-winner just 51 seconds into overtime, securing the win in front of a packed arena.
Watts Shines in Overtime Thriller
Watts showcased her scoring prowess by netting two crucial goals, including a second-period power-play strike that kept Toronto in contention. Julia Gosling also found the back of the net, scoring a power-play goal with just 23.4 seconds left in the second period.
Ottawa started strong, striking early when Gabbie Hughes capitalized on a crisp pass from Jincy Roese. She maneuvered past the Toronto defence, finishing with a slick forehand move that beat Toronto’s goaltender, Raygan Kirk.
The Charge clawed back in the third period, tying the game at 4:10 when Tereza Vanisova fired a shot from the slot. It marked her eighth goal of the season, making her the team’s top scorer.
Goal tending Duel in a Packed Arena
A crowd of 17,518 witnessed an intense goaltending showdown. Ottawa’s Emerance Maschmeyer stopped 31 of 34 shots, while Toronto’s Raygan Kirk made 33 saves to keep her team in the fight.
The game was part of the PWHL’s “Takeover Tour,” a nine-game series at neutral venues aimed at expanding the league’s reach. Despite the gruelling schedule, Toronto played without reigning MVP Natalie Spooner, who was rested for "load management" after recently returning from injury.
Fleet Stun Frost with Four Unanswered Goals
In another PWHL matchup, the Boston Fleet pulled off a stunning 4-2 comeback victory over the Minnesota Frost in their only home game of February.
Minnesota surged ahead early, with Kendall Coyne Schofield racing past defenders to open the scoring. Brooke McQuigge doubled the lead just two minutes later, redirecting a centring pass off her skate.
Boston switched goaltenders at the start of the second period, bringing in Klara Peslarova for her PWHL debut. The Czech netminder, caught off guard while eating an orange on the bench, stepped in and stopped all 15 shots she faced, giving her team a chance to rally.
Jill Saulnier ended her 17-game scoring drought, netting Boston’s first goal at 11:09 of the second. She later set up Susanna Tapani for the tying goal early in the third.
Hilary Knight put Boston ahead at 13:23, and Alina Müller sealed the win with an empty-netter, continuing her hot streak with nine points in her last seven games.
Minnesota’s Maddie Rooney stopped 17 of 20 shots, while Boston’s Emma Söderberg had seven saves before being replaced.
