In a frigid performance mirroring the temperature inside TD Place, the Ottawa Charge's offense was silenced Tuesday night in a decisive 5-1 loss to the two-time defending champion Minnesota Frost.
A Chilling Start Seals Fate
The game, a rematch of last season's Walter Cup finalists, was effectively decided in the opening minutes. Minnesota captain Kendall Coyne Schofield opened the scoring just 24 seconds into the first period, capitalizing on a loose puck. The Frost's dominance continued, with goals from Dominique Petrie and Grace Zumwinkle following in quick succession, giving the visitors a commanding 3-0 lead before the seven-minute mark.
Ottawa goaltender Gwyneth Philips and the Charge defense could not recover from the early onslaught. Despite the lopsided score, the teams were tied 10-10 in shots after the first period, with the Charge's Peyton Hemp and Gabbie Hughes each ringing a shot off the post.
Bright Spot in Guilday's Blast
The lone highlight for the home team came in the third period from rookie defender Rory Guilday. The team's first-round pick in June showcased the powerful shot her coach had recently praised, blasting her first professional goal past Minnesota netminder Nicole Hensley from the point. The goal gave Guilday three points in her first three professional games.
The loss concludes a disappointing three-game homestand for the Charge at TD Place, where they managed just one win against two regulation losses. The team now hits the road for a challenging stretch, beginning with a game against the Toronto Sceptres on Thursday.
Moving Forward and a Show of Support
Following a break for Rivalry Series games, Ottawa embarks on a four-game road trip with stops in Vancouver, Seattle, Minnesota, and Toronto. Their next home game is scheduled for December 27 against the Boston Fleet, with ticket sales for that contest already surpassing 6,500.
The night also featured a heartfelt show of support for Charge head coach Carla MacLeod. On Sunday, MacLeod announced she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. In response, many in the crowd of 5,174 wore pink and held up signs of encouragement. The bench boss received a standing ovation during the first television timeout, a poignant moment in an otherwise difficult game for the home side.
