Theresa Schafzahl’s late winner helps Boston escape with 3-2 PWHL win over Ottawa

OTTAWA — Boston didn’t have its best game, but managed to steal a 3-2 win over Ottawa on Wednesday night in Professional Women’s Hockey League action. With 51.

OTTAWA — Boston didn’t have its best game, but managed to steal a 3-2 win over Ottawa on Wednesday night in Professional Women’s Hockey League action.

With 51.4 seconds remaining in regulation, Theresa Schafzahl scored the game-winning goal to salvage what was an otherwise uninspiring performance for the final 39 minutes.

“I think, you know, our first period was great,” said Boston coach Courtney Kessel. “And then I think Ottawa just outplayed us.

“I think they were hungrier. They were jumping on loose pucks and I think we’ve got to find a way to play three solid periods.”

It was a homecoming for Jamie Lee Rattray, who also scored for Boston (2-0-2) along with Alina Muller. Aerin Frankel turned away 37 shots in an impressive outing.

Rattray, who grew up in the suburb of Kanata, Ont., played her minor hockey career in Ottawa and was thrilled to score her first PWHL goal with her parents and friends on hand.

“It’s always fun coming home,” said Rattray. “This building is super fun. 

“I used to come here and watch the (Ontario Hockey League’s Ottawa) 67’s games all the time and it has so much character to it … your first goal is always fun and to do it here is pretty special.”

Kristin Della Rovere and Lexie Adzija scored for Ottawa (2-2-1).

Sandra Abstreiter made her PWHL debut between the pipes for Ottawa, but was injured after allowing Boston’s second goal and left the game after making 10 saves. There was no update on Abstreiter following the game.

Emerance Maschmeyer stopped 18-of-19 shots in relief.

Boston got off to a great start, scoring twice in the first period. Coming into the game, Boston had yet to score a first-period goal on the season.

Muller opened the scoring at 8:38 with a power-play goal, beating Abstreiter from the blue line. 

Rattray extended Boston’s lead with 2:23 remaining when Sophie Shirley sent a cross-crease pass her way and she scored her first goal of the season.

However, Ottawa took control from there. The home team outshot the visitors 32-19 through the final 40 minutes.

“It wasn’t a great start, we know that,” said Ottawa coach Carla MacLeod. “It’s a couple games in a row here so we’ll keep working on that, but the resiliency is incredible.”

In a battle along the boards, Boston turned the puck over and Natalie Snodgrass put the puck on net where Della Rovere was able to tap it past Frankel at 15:34 of the second period for her first of the season.

The 23-year-old Della Rovere has been in and out of the lineup this season and was thrilled to be able to contribute and have an impact on the game.

“It’s about coming in every day, putting in the work and waiting for the opportunity,” said Della Rovere. “It’s definitely exciting hearing your name called and just trying to get ready for those moments.”

Adzija tied the game at 2-2 with a power-play goal 3:46 into the third period, extending her point streak to five games (three goals, two assists).

“She’s fierce and she’s a heck of a player,” MacLeod said of Adzija. “She’s got a real knack around the net and she’s willing to go to the net and she’s a tough gal to move once she’s there.”

NOTES

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was on hand for Wednesday’s game and provided a pre-game speech to Ottawa’s team. The game saw players represent nine different countries which was the most in any PWHL matchup this season. In addition to Canada and the United States, the countries represented were Czechia, Hungary, Germany, Japan, Austria, Sweden and Switzerland.

UP NEXT

Ottawa takes on Montreal on Saturday.

Boston hosts Minnesota on Saturday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 24, 2024.

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press