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Ottawa Charge

The Players who Powered the Ottawa Charge to Victory

The Ottawa Charge lit up their home opener with a thrilling 3-2 victory against the Toronto Sceptres.

The Players who Powered the Ottawa Charge to Victory
Mannon McMahon and Maggie Connors on the ice at TD Place. (Photo Credit: PWHL)

The Ottawa Charge didn’t disappoint in their long-awaited home opener at TD Place Arena on Tuesday night, defeating the Toronto Sceptres 3-2 in front of an electric crowd. With standout performances from Mannon McMahon, Jincy Roese, and Tereza Vanišová, Ottawa earned their first win of the season in thrilling fashion. Here’s how these three players charged Ottawa to victory.

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Mannon McMahon

In her limited ice time, Mannon McMahon made an unforgettable impact. Playing only five minutes in the game, the rookie forward scored the first goal of the season at TD Place. It was also McMahon’s first career PWHL goal, making the moment even more special.

"Yeah, I think it was a surprise almost... I got a nice pass from Vasko and found myself alone with the goalie." McMahon told The Ice Garden.

The goal came just six minutes into the first period, as McMahon buried the puck past Kristen Campbell to give Ottawa an early 1-0 lead. Though her role in the game was limited, McMahon’s energy and efficiency stood out.

Jincy Roese

Jincy Roese brought her usual defensive reliability to the game but added an offensive spark that helped turn the tide for Ottawa. Early in the third period, with the Charge trailing 2-1, Roese jumped into the rush and scored the tying goal and her first ever in the PWHL. Her calculated patience on the play—taking a moment to let the defense commit before firing a pinpoint shot—was a highlight of the night.

Reflecting on her timely goal, Roese summed it up simply: "It was good, good things come to those who wait" she told the media post game.

Her coach, Carla MacLeod, echoed the sentiment, adding, “You’re always pleased when a player who works as hard as she does gets rewarded.”

Roese’s contributions extended beyond her goal. She was instrumental on the penalty kill, logging significant minutes during a late-game Toronto power play. Her ability to block shots and disrupt passing lanes ensured the Sceptres couldn’t capitalize in crunch time. Roese also played the second most minutes behind defensive partner Savannah Harmon.

Tereza Vanišová

When Ottawa needed someone to step up, Tereza Vanišová answered the call with a performance that highlighted her skill and poise under pressure. The Czech forward scored two critical points in the game, including the game-winning goal at 8:53 in the third period.

Her first moment came early in the third period when she assisted on Roese’s goal, showing her ability to create chances and execute under pressure. The game-winner, however, was pure brilliance. Positioned perfectly, Vanišová took a setup from Kateřina Mrázová, firing a shot past Kristen Campbell to secure the win. The precision, timing, and confidence she displayed made her the undeniable hero of the night.

While McMahon, Roese, and Vanišová grabbed the spotlight, Ottawa’s win was truly a team effort. Goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer was solid in net again making 20 saves, including several highlight-reel stops to hold off a dangerous Toronto attack.

The Charge will now look to build on their momentum as they prepare to host the Montréal Victoire on Dec. 6th at the Canadian Tire Centre.

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