The only item lacking from a remarkable Seattle Torrent expansion season has been success away from Climate Pledge Arena.
The Torrent did something about that Wednesday at TD Place, using a Natalie Snodgrass power play goal with 1:21 left to defeat the Ottawa Charge, 5-3.
“There are a lot of emotions coming into this building again,” said Snodgrass, “having played here the last two years. It’s always fun to see old teammates. I had some apologies to make in the handshake line, but it felt pretty good to celebrate with my teammates tonight.”
Danielle Serdachny (below image) scored twice for Seattle, rookie Jada Habisch netted her first pro goal, and Cayla Barnes added an empty-netter. Julia Gosling had two assists, while Corinne Schroeder was outstanding with 36 saves.
Torrent Head Coach Steve O’Rourke said, “It’s just keeping to the details, and maintaining the simple play. We did a better job of that tonight. Getting out of our zone, making sure pucks got out clean, and just keep putting pressure on.”
Seattle had scored one or fewer goals in seven of its last eight games, and had lost all 11 of its previous true road games. The Torrent’s only prior “road” win was technically a “Takeover Tour” neutral site game. Seattle topped the Toronto Scepters in a shootout 3-2 in Hamilton, Ont. on Jan. 3.
On Monday, Theresa Schafzahl’s first goal with Seattle wasn’t enough in a 4-1 loss to the Montreal Victoire at Bell Centre. Schafzahl has five points in seven games since being acquired from Boston for Jessie Eldridge on Mar. 16. The two games in Canada were Seattle’s first ever back-to-back contests.
Up Next For Torrent
Seattle is in last place in the eight-team PWHL with 27 points, one behind their expansion cousins, the Vancouver Goldeneyes. Four games remain in the regular season.
The Torrent conclude their inaugural campaign in the Pacific Northwest, starting Apr. 14 in Vancouver. Their final three games are at home: Apr. 18 vs. those same Goldeneyes, then Apr. 22 vs. the Minnesota Frost and Apr. 25 vs. Montreal.
Earlier Torrent:
— Record MSG Crowd Sees Sirens Top Torrent, 2-1
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken’s Ron Francis Steps Down
