Unsung Heroes Take the Spotlight in the PWHL Semifinals
PC: Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP
The PWHL's sophomore year has been nothing short of exhilarating, and the semifinal showdown between the Montréal Victoire and the Ottawa Charge is a prime example. Of course, the stars have been dazzling, but let's talk about the unsung heroes making this series a must-watch on the road to the Walter Cup Final.
Catherine Dubois, Resilient Until the End
In the playoffs, sometimes, pretty doesn't matter. All you need is the puck to cross the line, and Catherine Dubois delivered that in the most dramatic fashion imaginable for Montréal. After falling short in Game One, the Victoire knew they had to step it up in front of their home crowd. In a shocking quadruple-overtime, the longest game in PWHL history, Catherine Dubois showed up and showed out!
“To be quite honest, I think I passed out. I don’t remember anything except [my teammates] coming to me and celebrating. So, I’m just very happy that we won this game. It was a team win. We all played together. So, I’m just happy.”
Ronja Savolainen: The Anchor
Ronja Savolainen defending during PWHL semifinal game (The Canadian Press via AP)
Roleplayers are arguably the most essential pieces to the puzzle, and Ronja Savolainen is the perfect example of a player who is not on the ice to score, but to make an impact. The Finnish blueliner for the Ottawa Charge might not be known for her flashy plays, but her +3 differential speaks volumes about her ability to shake things up. She is a powerful force on defense, and had some outstanding moments that kept the Victoire on their toes.
That relentless energy didn't vanish with the final buzzer of the thrilling Game Two. Despite logging an astounding amount of ice time, “[She] still had fuel to go a few more periods” and proceeded to go on a post-game sprint with teammate Aneta Tejralová, because a playoff match is just a warm-up!
Mannon McMahon Makes History!
Mannon McMahon scores Ottawa Charge's first-ever playoff goal (The Canadian Press via AP)
The beauty of a young league like the PWHL is witnessing history unfold in real-time, and Tuesday night in Ottawa was one such occasion. Mannon McMahon forever provided one of those memorable moments, scoring the team's first-ever playoff goal on home ice, sending the arena into a frenzy. The historic marker in the third period, which proved to be the game's only goal, was made possible by a smart play from Gabbie Hughes, whose initial shot created the opportunity for McMahon to capitalize. What a moment for the rookie!
But wait, there's more to that historic tally. Guess who else got in on the action, snagging the secondary assist for her first career playoff point? None other than Ronja Savolainen! A fitting reward for the consistent effort she brings to the Charge.
Anna Wilgren: Leading the Way (from the Back End)
Anna Wilgren, a defender for Montréal, might not always grab the headlines, but her offensive contributions from the blue line in this series against Ottawa have been noteworthy. While yet to score a goal, Wilgren has been a primary catalyst for the Victoire's offense. Through the first three games, she led the team with three assists and three points, demonstrating her impressive playmaking ability from the defensive end. Her two-assist night in Game Two, including a crucial helper on Dubois's OT winner, proves her importance to the Victoire’s attack.
Anna Wilgren of the Ottawa Charge skates up the ice after her assist in the PWHL semifinal against Montréal Victoire (@ellenbondphoto/Instagram)
When the lights are bright, these women rise to the occasion. This semifinal battle has delivered nothing but excitement, a powerful reminder that the PWHL is here to stay. Ultimately, the Ottawa Charge emerged victorious, winning the series 3-1, and will now face the Minnesota Frost in the Walter Cup Final, with Game One scheduled for May 20th. This is a matchup you won't want to miss!