PWHL Players of the Week: Peslarova, Rattray, Bell play key roles in playoff push

Heading into the final week of the PWHL regular season, all hands are on deck to help teams qualify for the playoffs.

While the Montreal Victoire and Toronto Sceptres have already clinched a spot in the postseason, the Boston Fleet and Ottawa Charge are scrapping to play beyond next Saturday. These players certainly did their part in closing the gap.

Jamie Lee Rattray (F, Boston Fleet)

Rattray might not have found the back of the net in the Fleet’s huge 3-0 win over the Toronto Sceptres on Saturday, but her offensive ability played a considerable role in helping Boston come out of the international break with a crucial regulation win.

The former Canadian National Team star was involved with various teammates in the game, starting on the fourth line with Lexie Adzija and Kelly Babstock. A ferocious forecheck and quick hands from Rattray set up Adzija’s second goal of the season to put Boston ahead.

Rattray doubled down in the dying seconds of the second period. On the power play, the Kanata, Ontario native made a great pass to find Theresa Schafzahl to put the Fleet up by three.

It hasn’t been an easy season for Rattary, who has been playing down on Courtney Kessel’s lineup for most of the season. Yet, her ability to make a contribution in a limited role will be key if the Fleet wants to get back in the playoffs.

Rattray has notched four goals and nine points in 28 games this season.

Ashton Bell (D, Ottawa Charge)

You knew she was going to be on this list.

Ashton Bell might not have earned the reputation of being a “clutch” player in the PWHL, especially since she plays on a team with Tereza Vanisova and Brianne Jenner. Yet, the 25-year-old stepped up in a huge way on Saturday against the Montreal Victoire.

Bell scored just her second goal of the season in the first period to break the ice. After the Charge squandered a two-goal lead early in the third, it looked like overtime was going to be necessary. However, the Charge, desiring a regulation win than going into extra time, pressed while on the penalty kill. That led to Bell firing in her second of the contest with just 13 seconds to go, sending Ottawa to a 3-2 win over the league’s top team.

It goes without saying that Saturday was the Manitoba native’s first multi-goal game of her PWHL career, just the fifth in her time with Ottawa. Bell has been relied upon as more of a defensive defender on Carla MacLeod’s roster, but being able to show off her scoring ability at the right time wasn’t too shabby.

Bell has three goals and six points in 25 games, with two games remaining in the regular season.

The Charge is fourth in the PWHL standings. A point against the Minnesota Frost on Wednesday would put Ottawa into the playoffs for the first time.

Klára Peslarová (G, Boston Fleet)

No Aerin Frankel? No problem.

Peslarová certainly didn’t have the result she would’ve wanted at the IIHF Women’s World Championship, and she and the host Czechia came up short of winning a medal. However, that seemed to only inspire the 28-year-old against the Sceptres on Saturday.

In her first-ever PWHL start, Peslarová stood on her head, especially as Toronto’s big guns started to push in the third period, outscoring Boston 10-2 in the final 20 minutes. Yet, Peslarová held her own, not allowing the Sceptres to get on the board, stopping all 29 shots she faced, leading to her second win of the season.

In her two appearances, the Czech netminder has faced 44 shots, having stopped them all so far. It’s safe to assume she’s taken over the No. 2 spot from Emma Söderberg.

The Fleet sits third in the PWHL. A win in any fashion against the Victoire on Monday clinches a playoff spot.

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