PWHL 2024 Preseason Day 2 Recap

It was another full day of PWHL preseason hockey in Toronto and Montréal on Thursday with two more scrimmages taking place in both cities. 

Boston Fleet vs Ottawa Charge

Playing on a back-to-back, the Boston Fleet struggled against the Ottawa Charge. Just 1:31 into the game, Shiann Darkangelo scored Ottawa’s first of the preaeason with draft pick Audrey-Anne Veillette grabbing the lone assist. If the Charge can get Darkangelo going offensively, their third or fourth line is going to be a real problem with her on it.

The first period was a battle of the 2024 PWHL Trade Deadline with Lexie Adzija tying the score for the Fleet with Sidney Morin picking up her second assist of the preseason. 

From the start of the second period the control of the game rested in the hands of the Charge. Ottawa would go on to find the back of the net three times in the second as former OSU defender, Stephanie Markowski would give the Charge the lead followed by two more second period goals from 2023 SDHL MVP, Anna Meixner and Emily Clark.

Both Mannon McMahon and Kateřina Mrázová would find the back of the net for the Charge as they would go on to defeat the Boston Fleet 6-1. The Charge play their second and final scrimmage on Friday against the Montréal Victoire, while the Fleet end their preseason 1-1. 

Minnesota Frost vs New York Sirens

Moving our focus to Toronto, the second game of the day was MUCH closer in score as the Minnesota Frost would go on to defeat the New York Sirens, 4-3. It also brought us our first OT action of the preseason!

Mae Batherson opened the scoring for the Frost in this one as the sixth round draft pick capitalized on the power-play off of a nasty behind the back pass from fifth round pick, Dominique Petrie.

Not long after Sirens’ eighth round pick, Brooke Hobson would tie it up with Paetyn Levis grabbing the lone assist. The second period delivered a handful of goals with the first one coming to Minnesota thanks to Brooke McQuigge. 

New York would score back-to-back to grab their first lead of the game following an unassisted tally from Paetyn Levis and a goal from fifth round pick, Elle Hartje and assisted by sixth round pick, Emmy Fecteau. As the Sirens went into the third period with the lead, the Frost had other plans. 

Less than five minutes into the final frame, Mellissa Channell-Watkins tied things up for the Frost with assists going to Liz Schepers and Brooke McQuigge. As the third period went on, neither team was able to beat the opposing goaltender and overtime was needed. 

In a game where both teams saw a strong outing from their later round draft picks, Mae Batherson would play hero for the Frost as she scored the game winner at 1:45 into overtime. Not only was it her second of the day, it was also her second on the power-play. 

The Minnesota Frost end their preseason with a perfect 2-0 record and an impressive 7 goals scored in those two games. 

The third and final day of scrimmage games will take place on Friday afternoon with the Ottawa Charge facing off against the Montréal Victoire and the Toronto Sceptres looking to bounce back against the New York Sires.