Star Goalie Emerance Maschmeyer Leaves Game Due to Injury

Despite a challenging turn of events, the Ottawa Charge secured three vital points on Tuesday night.

Alexa Vasko delivered a clutch short-handed goal late in the game, lifting Ottawa to a 3-2 triumph over the Minnesota Frost in Professional Women’s Hockey League action.

Ottawa (8-1-4-9) had largely dictated the pace, but the momentum shifted dramatically in the third period.

With the Charge holding a 2-1 lead, disaster struck when goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer had to be helped off the ice by the team’s medical staff.

Maschmeyer, a cornerstone of the Charge since their inception, has been instrumental in their success. Watching her exit in clear distress was a tough blow for the team. No immediate update on her condition was available after the game.

From Cheers to Silence

Not long before the injury, Maschmeyer received a standing ovation for reaching 1,000 career regular-season saves.

However, as the cheers faded, Minnesota’s Taylor Heise capitalized on traffic in front of the net, cutting Ottawa’s lead to 2-1.

Initially, Maschmeyer’s save seemed routine, but concern quickly set in as she remained down on the ice. The 30-year-old was unable to get up unassisted, casting a somber mood over the arena.

With 9:55 remaining, Gwyneth Philips stepped in as relief goaltender. Her first test was a shot that initially appeared to be waved off, but after a lengthy review, officials confirmed the goal, evening the score at 2-2.

Rallying for Masch

“We told the team, ‘We’ve got to stick together,'” said Ottawa coach Carla MacLeod. “There are always unexpected challenges, and that was another one. But we rallied and said, ‘Let’s win this one for Masch,’ and that’s exactly what they did.”

The situation grew even tougher when Shiann Darkangelo was sent to the box for tripping with 5:48 left on the clock.

But rather than crumbling, the Charge responded with a game-winning short-handed goal. Ronja Savolainen battled for the puck along the boards before making a diving pass to Vasko, who buried her second goal of the night.

Staying Focused

“It’s tough seeing Masch go down, but we have full confidence in Gwen,” Vasko said. “We came together as a group, and you could see that on the ice.”

Minnesota (7-5-4-7) coach Ken Klee acknowledged his team missed an opportunity to capitalize on the momentum swing.

“It was a tight game,” Klee said. “We were happy to claw back from two down, but in the end, it just didn’t go our way.”

With only eight games left, the Charge desperately needed the win. Ottawa remains five points behind Minnesota for the final playoff spot but holds two games in hand.

MacLeod, however, isn’t focused on the standings.

“I’m watching our group,” she said. “It’s about improving every day and making sure we give ourselves the best chance to earn three points each time we hit the ice.”

Game Recap

Brianne Jenner got things started for Ottawa with a power-play goal, beating Minnesota goaltender Maddie Rooney, who finished with 16 saves. Vasko extended the lead to 2-0 in the second period, capitalizing on a pass from Natalie Snodgrass after a turnover by Claire Thompson.

Heise’s goal cut the lead to one before Thompson later netted her fourth of the season, tying the game at 2-2. But in the end, Vasko’s heroics ensured Ottawa skated away with a crucial win.