Maschmeyer, Jenner lead Ottawa to 4–0 win over Minnesota

With the Sens done for the year, we're giving a little more attention to PWHL Ottawa, with full previews and recaps for the rest of the year. Tonight's game was well worth it, with ​Emerance Maschmeyer making 35 saves on 35 shots and Brianne Jenner scoring a hat trick to lead Ottawa to a 4–0 win in their first game back from the international break.

The first period felt a little sloppy for Ottawa, with some big slips and falls and Ottawa even taking the first penalty, a tripping call on Emily Clark. However, a late miscue in Minnesota's end gave Brianne Jenner a glorious chance and Ottawa's captain made no mistake, burying her sixth of the year:

The second period saw Jenner double the lead, on another Minnesota mistake around their own net.

The chemistry between Clark and Jenner remains unrivalled. Ottawa then took a three-goal lead later in the second from an unlikely source, with Ashton Bell scoring her second on the season.

Gabbie Hughes also decided to go superwoman late in the period, but couldn't solve ​Nicole Hensley. Still, Ottawa had a solid lead heading into the final frame.

Ottawa gave up a 5-on-3 early in the third but some strong penalty killing got them out of it unscathed. Then, with 12 minutes left in the third, Ottawa shut it down, only allowing five more shots. They also took five of their own, one of which was Jenner's hat-trick goal.

It wasn't always pretty, but Ottawa was opportunistic and earned a 4-0 win.

Game Thoughts:

• Brianne Jenner is the heart and soul of this team. She can will her team into a game.
• Hughes is so talented. It's a joy to see her play (and not for Team USA).
• Maschmeyer looks so calm and also does such a good job of making herself look big. Minnesota kept trying to score high on her and she'd easily blocker it away.
• Daryl Watts was quiet on the scoresheet tonight, but my friend at the game took this picture of definitely the best sign at the game: