Natalie BuchbinderOttawa snapped a losing streak with a 3–2 overtime win over Minnesota
behind a stellar performance from Gwyneth Philips at Allstate Arena.
The Minnesota Frost traveled to Illinois Sunday afternoon to take on the Ottawa Charge in the PWHL’s first Takeover Tour matchup of the season.
The Takeover Tour brings PWHL teams together to play neutral-site games and grow the league in markets without a team. The Takeover Tour has been a massive success for the league, with games regularly attracting large crowds and media interest.
The Ottawa vs. Minnesota matchup took place at the Allstate Arena in the major Chicago suburb of Rosemont.
Frost captain Kendall Coyne Schofield, a Palos Heights, Illinois native, spoke before the game about her excitement for playing in her home state and what Takeover Tour games mean for the growth of the sport.
“I’m excited to be a part of one of the first two teams to play for the PWHL in Chicago, and what this is going to do for the visibility of the sport. This game will be a “see it, be it” moment for so many who will see the PWHL for the first time,” Coyne Schofield said. “Being able to play in front of so many family and friends is going to be special. I think all those in attendance are going to see a great hockey game and leave wanting to see more of the PWHL.”
Sunday afternoon’s matchup was the second meeting between the Charge and the Frost this season, with Minnesota earning a 5-1 victory in their first contest.
Recap
Nicole Hensley started in net for the Frost, while the Charge countered with Gwyneth Philips. The goaltending matchup was the same in the two teams’ first meeting of the year.
The Charge got on the board first after a hooking call on Dominique Petrie sent Ottawa to the power play. Defender Ronja Savolainen scored the goal when she beat Hensley with a shot from the faceoff dot.
Minnesota had a chance to tie the game late in the first period when they got an extra-attacker chance themselves after an Ottawa hooking call. Minnesota couldn’t convert, sending the game to the first intermission with the Charge leading 1-0.
The Frost went back to the power play twice early in the second period. Minnesota produced a lot of quality chances, including a shot that went off the post from Abby Hustler, but Gwyneth Philips made several key saves to preserve the Charge’s lead.
The Frost couldn’t score on the power play, but did generate a lot of momentum. That momentum led to a game-tying goal at 10:44 of the second period when Britta Curl-Salemme scored her second goal of the season off a dish by Kelly Pannek. Curl-Salemme’s goal was her eighth of the season, a mark that currently leads the league.
The Charge took the lead late in the second period when Brianne Jenner found some space in the offensive zone after receiving a pass from Gabbie Hughes. The tally gave the Charge a 2-1 lead to close the second frame.
The contest’s physical nature continued into the third period, with a cross-checking call giving Minnesota another extra-attacker opportunity. Mae Batherson scored from the point for her first career goal to tie the game. Kendall Cooper and Kelly Pannek added assists on the goal.
That power play tally was the only goal of the third period as Gwyneth Philips and Nicole Hensley both stood tall for their clubs.
Gwyneth Philips continued to star for the Charge in the early goings of overtime, making several jaw-dropping saves when it appeared that the Frost had the game won.
Sarah Wozniewicz sealed the game with a fantastic shot after Ottawa forced a turnover in the Frost’s zone. The goal broke the Charge’s losing streak and served as revenge against Minnesota after the Frost beat them earlier this year.
Minnesota will travel to play its first game against the Vancouver Goldeneyes on December 27th.
Key Takeaways
Heated Rivalry Boils Over in Physical Affair
If there’s one thing that Sunday’s game revealed, it’s that there’s no love lost between the Minnesota Frost and Ottawa Charge. The two teams played a physical style, resulting in several penalties, hits, and post-whistle scrums.
The back-and-forth contest erupted in the second period, especially when the Ottawa Charge were called for three penalties, including a Jocelyn Larocque roughing call, and two penalties from the Frost.
Overall, the two clubs combined for 16 penalty minutes. The penalties ultimately defined significant portions of the game, with Ottawa scoring both of its goals on the power play, and Minnesota adding one of its own.
The intense play made for an exciting game, and it makes the two teams’ next matchup must-see hockey. The two clubs have a natural rivalry given their series for the Walter Cup last season.
Curl-Salemme Continues Offensive Breakout
When Britta Curl-Salemme joined the Frost’s lineup last season, she became an immediate contributor on a championship team. The chippy forward scored nine goals and added six assists for 15 points in 28 games. The Wisconsin Badgers alum has only built on that performance in her second season.
Curl-Salemme’s goal in the second period continued a hot streak for the forward. Her eight points are tied for the league lead with teammate Kelly Pannek.
The forward’s contributions in the game went far beyond scoring a goal as well. Curl-Salemme was also a great playmaker all night, including a pass to Abby Hustler that gave the Frost a massive scoring chance that went off the pipe and another feed to Lee Stecklein in overtime that Gwyneth Philis stopped.
The Frost boasts one of the most dangerous offenses in the league this season, and Curl-Salemme’s offensive breakout has been a key factor in Minnesota’s high-octane attack.
Gwyneth Philips Stifles Dangerous Minnesota Attack.
Despite the loss, the Minnesota Frost put together one of their most comprehensive games of the season in terms of generating chances. The Frost produced 43 shots throughout the game, their highest mark of the campaign. The performance was headlined by the second period, where they outshot the Ottawa Charge by a 22-10 margin.
The Frost piling on shots was necessary given Gwenyth Philips’ excellent play. Philips, a finalist for PWHL Rookie of the Year and Goaltender of the Year last season, is a superb netminder who has only continued to improve in her second season. Philips logged a .953 save percentage in the matchup and is improving on her excellent .919 percentage from her rookie campaign.
Philips’ play was the story of this game, as she consistently made highlight-reel saves to keep the Charge in the game. With Minnesota producing 30 scoring chances throughout the game, Ottawa needed its goaltender in top form to have a chance at winning this game. The Charge got their performance out of Philips.
