NEWARK, NJ (April 30, 2024) – New York will select first overall in the 2024 PWHL Draft in June, earning the top pick following a 4-3 victory over Ottawa at Prudential Center on Tuesday.
Ella Shelton led New York’s offense with a goal and two assists.
New York scored four straight goals in the second period after entering the middle frame down 2-0 to Ottawa, with Shelton recording points on her team’s final three markers.
Shelton provided the tying goal at 9:16 of the second period less than two minutes after teammate Jade Downie-Landry made the game 2-1 with her seventh goal of the season.
After Shelton jumped into the rush, Alex Carpenter feathered a pass to the defender, sending Shelton in alone on Emerance Maschmeyer. Shelton scored low blocker—her sixth tally of the season—to make the game 2-2.
Then, at 12:20, Kayla Vespa pounced on a rebound created by Shelton’s point shot, giving New York their first lead of the game. Savannah Norcross provided the secondary assist on the play, her first PWHL point.
New York, and Shelton, capped off their second period offensive outburst at 15:57 as Elizabeth Giguère recorded her third goal of the season to make the game 4-2 for the home team.
Shelton took a wrist shot from the high slot, which Maschmeyer turned aside, but Ottawa’s clearing attempt found its way back to the defender, who one-timed the puck from the point. Giguère battled an Ottawa defender in front and put the puck home on her second shot attempt.
With three points in the game, Shelton takes over the scoring lead among all PWHL defenders with 18 points (6G, 12A) in 23 games — she also moves into a tie for sixth in overall league scoring.
Akane Shiga gave Ottawa a 1-0 lead 5:12 into the game, with Savannah Harmon and Natalie Snodgrass drawing the assists.
Ottawa doubled their lead at 14:24 of the first frame, as Hayley Scamurra ripped a shot from the slot over Corinne Schroeder’s shoulder.
Shots were 17-7 in favor of Ottawa after the first, but New York turned the tables in the second period, leading the category 13-7.
Daryl Watts made the game 4-3 with 59 seconds remaining in the third period to bring her team to within one goal, but Ottawa wasn’t able to score the equalizer.
Schroeder made 33 saves to record her seventh victory of the season. Maschmeyer made 25 saves in the loss.
Ottawa entered the game with the opportunity to clinch a playoff spot with a regulation victory. Now, should Boston produce any points in their game with Montréal on Saturday, Ottawa will need to match that total in their game against Toronto on Sunday in order to secure a berth.
New York needed just one point to ensure they would finish the season with the most ‘Draft Order Points’ following their elimination from playoff contention.
Up next, New York plays their final game of the season when they host Minnesota at UBS Arena on Saturday. Then, Ottawa visits Toronto on Sunday— the PWHL’s final regular season game —with potential playoff implications still looming.
Postgame Quotes:
New York forward Elizabeth Giguère on the win and second period spark: “I think we needed that (win). I don’t think it was the start that we wanted. We knew they were going to come out hard because they needed this win. We got a good talk in between the periods, got put back into our place, and we just did it for each other. I think everyone worked hard and everyone was going to the net, and (the puck) ended up in the back of the net for once this season. And we loved every second of it.”
New York forward Jade Downie-Landry on the team’s effort: “It was a nice testament to what our team is able to do. I think we’ve had a few rough patches, but I think that kind of put things in perspective for the future. We’re all playing professional hockey because we are competitors. It’s engraved in us. Yes, it’s about pride, but I don’t think anybody will let up. We want to win, regardless of what position we’re in.”
Ottawa captain Brianne Jenner on focusing on Sunday’s game: “We are disappointed and frustrated tonight but we have to turn around quickly. We need to take care of ourselves, get home and have a good practice on Friday. Then, it’s off to Toronto. We have to take care of business there.”
Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod on learning to handle the ‘swings’ during a game: “Well, the league is close! I know New York is in the position that they’re in but they’re a great hockey team. In our league, the thing we have to get comfortable with are the swings. You’re not going to dominate all 60 minutes in this league. Other teams are too good. It’s just about managing these moments. In the second period, tonight, we didn’t manage them. We gave up prime scoring chances. Swings are inevitable and we are going to get more and more as we get to the playoffs. This is valuable experience for us. We spoke about it after the game. It’s about figuring out what we can control and controlling it better.”
Notes:
- Attendance: 2,992 – Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
- Three Stars: 1) Ella Shelton 2) Corinne Schroeder 3) Brooke Hobson
- Shots ended 36-29 in favor of Ottawa — They led in the first (17-7) and third (12-9), but New York had the advantage in the second (13-7).
- Hayley Scamurra (OTT) led all players with seven shots on goal — Teammate Emily Clark and New York’s Shelton finished second with five shots apiece.
- Both teams were 0/1 on the powerplay.
- Savannah Harmon (OTT) led all players in ice time with 28:26 — Jaime Bourbonnais led all New York skaters with 26:29 TOI.
- New York is just the third team to score four goals in a period and the first team to score four times in the middle frame – Their previous season-high was three goals in a period, which they accomplished twice.
- New York scored four goals for the first time since Feb. 4 in a 4-3 overtime win against Ottawa – The four goals in that game were also scored consecutively in a comeback.
- Shelton extends her point streak to three games – Her six goals are first among defenders, two more than Montreal’s Erin Ambrose, who sits in second in the category.
- Corinne Schroeder’s seventh win of the season puts her in a four-way tie for third in the category – Five of her wins are with 30 or more saves.
- Brooke Hobson recorded her first-ever multi-point game with two assists — She now has a three-game point streak (1G, 3A).
- Alex Carpenter (NY) produced one assist to take sole possession of the league-lead with 14 helpers – Her point total increases to 22 in 23 games played which moves her into a tie for second in league scoring with Marie-Philip Poulin (MTL).
- New York has won all four games when Jade Downie-Landry has scored.
- With one assist in the game, Kateřina Mrázová sits tied with Shelton for sixth in PWHL scoring with 18 points (6G, 12A).
- Daryl Watts’ ninth goal of the season puts her in a three-way tie for fifth in the league.
- Ottawa wins the season series 7-5 in points with each team winning two games apiece.
- New York (4-4-3-12) improves their point total to 23 and clinch the first overall pick in the 2024 PWHL Draft with three ‘Draft Order Points’ — They have one game remaining on the season.
- Ottawa (8-1-6-8) remains in fourth place with 32 points on the season and one game left — They are three points behind Minnesota (two games remaining) and sit tied in points with Boston (one game remaining).
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