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PWHL

Charge Win Big on Mental Health Awareness Night, Defeat Frost 8-3

The Ottawa Charge delivered a record-breaking 8-3 victory over the Minnesota Frost on Mental Health Awareness Night.

Charge Win Big on Mental Health Awareness Night, Defeat Frost 8-3
Brianne Jenner driving towards the net against Nicole Hensley. (Photo Credit: PWHL)

The Ottawa Charge made history on Thursday night with an explosive 8-3 victory over the Minnesota Frost at TD Place. The game was the highest-scoring in PWHL history, but beyond the record books, it carried a deeper significance it was Mental Health Awareness Night, dedicated to Do It For Daron (DIFD) and Sophie’s Squad, two initiatives focused on mental health.

With emotions running high, Tereza Vanišová recorded a hat trick, Gabbie Hughes broke through with her first two goals of the season, and seven players had multi-point nights, as the Charge snapped their four-game losing streak in dominant fashion.

The Charge entered the night as the lowest-scoring team in the league, but they shattered expectations, matching their previous seven-game goal total in just one night. For Gabbie Hughes and Rebecca Leslie, who have both lost friends to mental health struggles, this game meant far more than just three points in the standings.

A Historic Night on the Ice

The game started with a bang. Mannon McMahon opened the scoring just over five minutes in, and Hughes followed up with Ottawa’s first shorthanded ‘jailbreak’ goal of the season to give the Charge an early 2-0 lead.

Minnesota responded with back-to-back goals from Britta Curl-Salemme and Michela Cava, tying the game before the first intermission. But in the second period the floodgates opened for the Charge.

The Charge dominated the second period, scoring four unanswered goals to take full control. Hughes netted her second of the night, Vanišová struck twice, and Victoria Bach added another, leaving Ottawa with a 6-2 lead heading into the final frame.

By the third period, Ottawa’s offense was relentless. Captain Brianne Jenner finally broke the Charge’s six-game power-play drought, and Vanišová completed her hat trick, bringing TD Place to its feet. Minnesota managed a late goal from Sophie Jaques, but the game was already out of reach.

“Today Was a Little Special”

For Hughes, scoring her first two goals of the season on this night held special meaning.

"It doesn't matter who's scoring the goals at the end of the day,” Hughes said post-game. “Today was a little special for Sophie and for Daron, so it was pretty cool to get those two goals. The first one for Sophie, the second for Daron I think it was a perfect amount for today!"

Leslie, who recorded her first two points as a member of the Charge, echoed that sentiment.

“Daron was a great friend of mine, and I think that it just shows how strong the hockey community is and how we all blend in situations like that," Leslie said. "It's crazy to think that Gabbie and I had both experienced losing someone special to mental health. But the outcome of tragedy has been to raise awareness for youth mental health, and I think that is what's important. We can inspire conversations, and these games just raise awareness. And then to get a win it’s just great.”

Standout Performances

For a team that had been averaging just 1.80 goals per game, Ottawa’s eight-goal outburst was a much-needed breakthrough. Several players had season-best performances, including:

  • Tereza Vanišová (3G) – The first hat trick of her PWHL career and only the second in the league this season.
  • Gabbie Hughes (2G, 1A) – A breakout game after a slow start to the year.
  • Shiann Darkangelo (3A) – First multi-assist game of the season.
  • Rebecca Leslie (2A) – First points as a Charge player.
  • Ronja Savolainen (2A), Emily Clark (2A), Aneta Tejralová (2A) – All recording multi-point nights.
  • Brianne Jenner (1G, Power Play) – Ended Ottawa’s power-play drought after six games without a goal.

From top to bottom, the Charge executed to near perfection, a stark contrast from their offensive struggles leading up to the game.

Looking Ahead

With this win, Ottawa moves into a three-way tie for fourth place with 20 points, while Minnesota remains in second with 26 points.

The Charge will have little time to celebrate as they face Toronto on Sunday, February 16, in Edmonton, a neutral-site game at Rogers Place. Meanwhile, Minnesota will look to bounce back when they take on Boston on the same day.

For Ottawa, this wasn’t just a win; it was a night of remembrance, resilience, and community. The Charge honoured those they’ve lost, raised awareness for mental health, and put together their best performance of the season.

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