Gabbie Hughes scored twice in the second period, including a go-ahead goal, and visiting Ottawa beat Boston 4-2 on Monday in the first of two games in three days against each other.
Ottawa (3-0-4-3) won its first game since Jan. 23, snapping a string of five one-goal losses. Boston (2-2-2-4) dropped into sixth in the PWHL standings after its fourth straight loss.
Daryl Watts, who played two seasons at Boston College, opened the scoring for Ottawa in the first period by finishing a nice give-and-go with Brianne Jenner. Jenner also capped the scoring with 43.4 seconds left in the third on an empty netter.
The teams combined for four goals in the second period. Hughes scored on a power play to make it 2-1, and her “jailbreak goal” put Ottawa ahead 3-2 with 11.5 seconds left in the second. Emily Clark assisted on both Hughes goals.
WATCH | Hughes scores twice in Ottawa’s win:
Hughes scored a power-play and shorthanded goal, including the game-winner, to lead Ottawa to a 4-2 road victory.
“Special teams often end up being a huge part of the game. In the NHL, just like in the PWHL, special teams matter. Some nights you get the bounces and some nights you don’t. Today, those two clicked,” said Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod on Hughes and Clark’s chemistry.
Boston tied it at 1-all after a lengthy review. Forward Loren Gabel appeared to get tripped into the goal on a partial breakaway, colliding with goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer, and Taylor Girard shot it into an empty goal as it flew off the pegs.
“Something’s got to change. If we’re not going to play 60 minutes, we’re going to lose games. You can’t just decide to show up for the third period. The league is too good for that,” said Boston head coach Courtney Kessel.
The game was a rescheduled matchup following a postponement on Jan. 8 due to inclement weather. Boston hosts Ottawa on Wednesday to conclude a six-game homestand.