Maschmeyer and Jenner shine as Ottawa beats Minnesota 4-0

OTTAWA – Emerance Maschmeyer was Ottawa's best player from start to finish, making 35 saves in a 4-0 win over Minnesota in the Professional Women's Hockey League on Saturday night.

Captain Brianne Jenner scored a hat trick while Ashton Bell scored the other goal for Ottawa (8-0-6-6).

Nicole Hensley made 18 saves for Minnesota (8-4-3-6), which had won all four previous games against Ottawa.

The win allowed Ottawa to move a two-point lead over Boston and secure the fourth and final playoff spot, making Wednesday's matchup between the two even more important.

Minnesota's best chance to get back into the game came early in the third period, when they had a 24-second lead by two, but were unable to capitalize on it or the ensuing power play.

Jenner made it rain, scoring her third goal at 15:39 of the third period, firing a shot over Hensley.

A solid second half allowed Ottawa to extend its lead to 3-0.

Jenner scored her second goal of the game at 4:07. Minnesota's Maggie Flaherty fell behind the net, allowing Emily Clark to jump on the puck and direct Jenner forward.

Midway through the period, Ottawa managed a 2-on-1 play where Tereza Vanisova, under Flaherty's stick, made a great pass to Bell, who scored into the open side.

Despite being outplayed most of the way, Ottawa took a 1-0 lead in the first round.

Maschmeyer made several saves to save her teammates, who were struggling to keep up with Minnesota. Ottawa didn't register its first shot until 10:07.

The home team caught a break when Hensley tried to pass the puck behind the net and it bounced strangely forward off the boards between her feet, leaving a wide-open net, allowing Jenner to score her sixth goal of the season at 17:14.

REMARKS

Seventeen players from the two teams represented their countries at the recent 2024 IIHF Women's World Championship in Utica, NY

NEXT

Ottawa: hosts Boston on Wednesday.

Minnesota: Host Boston on Saturday, April 27.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 20, 2024.

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press