PWHL Ottawa Game #20 Hub: Ottawa vs Minnesota
Meaningful hockey in April let's goooooo
The PWHL is back!
With the Sens done for the season and PWHL Ottawa entering the homestretch, Silver Seven has decided to turn our full attention to a team that's actually playing meaningful games in April. What a concept! We'll be doing full coverage for the remaining five games (and hopefully more, but let's not jinx it).
The league went on an extended break for the World Championships - which Canada won in an absolutely wild final - returning to action on Thursday. Each team will play five games in this last stretch of the season, one against each other team, until the playoffs begin in May.
It's been an up-and-down season for Ottawa, but they left on a good note before the break, and currently occupy the fourth playoff spot. They control their own fate here, as they basically just have to keep pace with Boston to stay in the playoffs.
The easiest way to make the playoffs is just to win, but we might want to do a bit of scoreboard watching, as well: because Boston won on Thursday, they're now only two points behind Ottawa, and they play New York this afternoon. If Boston wins their game and Ottawa loses theirs, Ottawa could be out of a playoff spot by tonight, albeit with a game in hand.
Game Notes
- Ottawa's leading scorer, Katerina Mrazova, is out with an injury and will not play tonight. She’s expected to make a return before the end of the season.
- Minnesota is neck-and-neck with Toronto for first in the league, after losing to Montreal on Thursday. If they win tonight, I believe they can clinch a playoff spot. I, personally, think they should have to wait.
- Grace Zumwinckle is still the player to watch, but keep an eye on Sophie Jaques, who had two assists on Thursday.
- Minnesota has won all four of the matchups between these two teams, but all of them were by just one goal.
- Special teams could end up being a big factor in this matchup; Ottawa boasts the best powerplay in the league and a solid penalty kill, whereas Minnesota has struggled in both respects.
- The game starts at 7:00pm, at TD Place. It will be streamed on CBC Gem and the PWHL YouTube channel. You can use this article as an open thread.
Let's Go Ottawa!
Stats
| Game 20 | Ottawa | Minnesota | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Player | # | Player | # |
| Goals | Daryl Watts | 8 | Grace Zumwinkle | 10 |
| Assists | Katerina Mrazova | 11 | Kelly Pannek | 10 |
| Points | Katerina Mrazova | 17 | Grace Zumwinckle | 17 |
| Shots | Hayley Scamurra | 66 | Grace Zumwinckle | 82 |
| Game 20 | Ottawa | Minnesota | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | # | Rank | # | Rank |
| Goals | 50 | 3 | 50 | 2 |
| Goals Against | 50 | 6 | 39 | 1 |
| Powerplay % | 26.8 | 1 | 10.4 | 5 |
| Penalty Kill % | 84.3 | 3 | 72.5 | 6 |
