PWHL Toronto downs Ottawa to extend win streak to 7

Natalie Spooner had a goal and an assist Saturday to lead PWHL Toronto to a 5-2 road win over PWHL Ottawa.

Brittany Howard, Hannah Miller, Samantha Cogan and Maggie Connors also scored for Toronto (6-3-0-5), winners of seven straight.

Renata Fast, Sarah Nurse and Victoria Bach had two assists each while Kristen Campbell made 23 saves, including a breakaway stop on Emily Clark early in the third period.

WATCH | Miller gives Toronto big lead:

Gabbie Hughes and Ashton Bell scored for Ottawa (4-0-4-6).

Emerance Maschmeyer started in goal for Ottawa but was replaced by Sandra Abstreiter in the second period after allowing three goals on 13 shots. Abstreiter turned aside nine of the 10 shots she faced.

In a very physical first period, Toronto opened the scoring as a Nurse shot deflected in off of Spooner for a power-play goal at 12:53.

Toronto nearly took a 2-0 lead minutes later but a sprawled out Maschmeyer got her glove on a shot from Jesse Compher to take away what looked like a sure goal.

Toronto came out flying to start the second period and scored three goals in a span of just under two and a half minutes.

Things started poorly for Abstreiter as she allowed a goal to Cogan on the first shot she faced at 5:14. She settled in after that, stopping Maggie Connors on a breakaway moments later.

Ottawa finally broke through when Hughes got the last touch on the puck after a scramble in front of the Toronto goal. She pushed it just over the goal line at 11:16.

At 5:49 of the third period, Bell got a backhand shot past Campbell to pull Ottawa within a pair. Connors iced the win with an empty-net goal at 18:27.

WATCH l CBC Sports’ Hockey North looks at best moments around the PWHL:

Heise Injured, Toronto’s 5-game win streak, and best moments around the PWHL

Host Rob Pizzo is joined by Saroya Tinker to break down the biggest stories from Week 8 of the PWHL season.