A short while back, Katie Chan was engaged in hockey play overseas. Presently, she is delighting a local audience by scoring goals. The 22-year-old forward from Richmond, B.C., marked her first PWHL goal in an exciting manner, aiding her Vancouver Goldeneyes to a 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Charge on Tuesday.
The setup for the goal came from Hannah Miller, who fired a shot from inside the faceoff circle, only to have it blocked by Charge goalie Gwyneth Philips. Chan, positioned near the net, swiftly tapped the puck in mid-air to give Vancouver a 1-0 lead just 7:50 into the game.
Chan described the subsequent moments as a blur, mentioning that she felt overwhelmed by the fans’ enthusiastic reaction. She expressed her joy, calling it a dream come true to score her first goal at home.
On Tuesday, three local players contributed points for Vancouver (3-3-0-0). Miller, from North Vancouver, B.C., and Jenn Gardiner, hailing from Surrey, B.C., scored the home team’s second goal early in the second period.
Jenn Gardiner, a top-line forward, intercepted a puck in the neutral zone, sped into Ottawa’s territory while fending off Charge defender Rory Guilday, and netted her second goal of the season by shooting off the crossbar. Gardiner emphasized the privilege of playing in front of friends and family in Vancouver.
Chan’s inclusion in the Goldeneyes’ debut season was uncertain. After playing four seasons at Cornell University and a stint in the SDHL in Sweden, she earned a spot in Vancouver’s training camp. Head coach Brian Idalski praised Chan’s reliability and all-around skills on the ice.
Kristen Campbell made 33 saves to secure her first win with the Goldeneyes. The 28-year-old goalie, previously with Toronto, was traded to Vancouver in June and expressed her joy and gratitude for the team’s support.
Campbell shared the goaltending duties with Emerance Maschmeyer, Vancouver’s No. 1 netminder, who has started the season with a solid record. Campbell highlighted the strong bond and support between the two goalies.
The Ottawa Charge extended their losing streak to three games on Tuesday, having last won on Nov. 26 against the Goldeneyes. Charge head coach Carla MacLeod acknowledged the competitive nature of the league and the respect among teams.
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