Dalton scores winner, adds assist as Sceptres edge Charge 2-1 in Calgary

Photo by Professional Women’s Hockey League

CALGARY — Toronto moved into a playoff spot Wednesday night with a 2-1 win over the Ottawa Charge at Scotiabank Saddledome, in a game that saw excellent goaltending, physical play, and timely execution in front of 16,150.

Toronto got on the board at 3:34 of the first when Maggie Connors scored while crashing the net after Blayre Turnbull sent a puck to the front,. Allie Munroe picked up the secondary assist.

Ottawa had the game’s first power play but the Sceptres’ penalty kill held up. Toronto then went to the power play themselves after Catherine Reilly was called for tripping, but the advantage was cut short at 14:58 as Jesse Compher was assessed goaltender interference penalty, sending the teams to four-on-four.

Moments later, Allie Munroe left the game in visible distress following a collision along the boards.

Ottawa tied the game late in the opening period. Fanuza Kadirova scored at 18:34, ripping a shot high glove from the faceoff dot past Toronto netminder, Raygan Kirk, with Kathryn Reilly recording the assist.

Shots were 9-9 after one period with the game tied 1-1.

The second period featured no scoring but several key moments. Emma Woods was stopped on a breakaway about six minutes in by Ottawa goaltender Gwyneth Philips, who kept the game level.

Ottawa returned to the power play before the midpoint of the period after Woods was called for boarding on what was a solid hit.

The period closed scoreless, with Ottawa leading 20-17 in shots overall and holding a three-shot edge in the middle frame. Kirk and Philips were steady in goal for their respective sides.

Toronto finished 0-for-1 on the power play, while Ottawa went 0-for-4.

The Sceptres regained the lead early in the third period. Just 57 seconds in, Maggie Connors generated a chance in tight that was stopped by Philips, but Claire Dalton followed up on the rebound and lifted it into the open net. Blayre Turnbull recorded her second assist of the night on the play.

Ottawa nearly responded a minute later when Rebecca Leslie redirected a backhand attempt just wide off a cross-slot feed.

Philips kept Ottawa within one, including a glove save on Emma Maltais from the slot, and continued to handle traffic and rebounds effectively.

Ottawa had a power-play opportunity inside the final four minutes but could not convert. The Charge pulled Philips for the extra attacker, but Toronto’s defensive coverage held through the final seconds.

With the win, Toronto moves ahead of Ottawa for the fourth and final playoff spot in the PWHL with five games remaining. Ottawa has six games left.

In goal, Raygan Kirk made 28 saves on 29 shots for a .966 save percentage for Toronto, while Philips stopped 22 of 24 for a .917 save percentage for Ottawa.

Claire Dalton was named first star with a goal and an assist, including the game-winner. Blayre Turnbull earned second star with two assists, while Fanuza Kadirova was named third star with Ottawa’s lone goal.

Ottawa will host Montreal on Friday night at Canadian Tire Centre, while Toronto will host Ottawa on April 11 following a nine-day break.