The Nepean Wildcats delivered a disciplined road performance to secure a 3-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators in U22 Elite action. The game was defined by a dominant second period from the visitors, who broke open a scoreless tie with three unanswered goals. Wildcats' forward Breanna Bray, wearing number 2, was the offensive catalyst, netting a pair of even-strength markers. Her first, assisted by Jaylee MacKinnon and Rio Francis, opened the scoring midway through the second frame. She then doubled the lead with what would stand as the game-winner, again set up by Francis and Mallea McMullin. Before the period was out, Kylie Hollingsworth added a third goal, with Sydney Semiga and the ever-involved Rio Francis picking up helpers, giving Francis a three-assist night.
Ottawa Senators' goaltender Ivy Nellis was under siege for much of the contest, facing 33 shots and turning away 30 of them to keep her team within reach. Despite a strong 31-shot effort from the Senators' offense, they were repeatedly stymied by Wildcats netminder Dominique Rioux, who posted a perfect 31-save shutout. The Senators finally broke through on the power play in the third period when Naomi Chambers, assisted by Keara Kiley, found the back of the net. However, it was too little, too late, as the Wildcats' defensive structure and Rioux's stellar play sealed the win.
The game featured a parade to the penalty box, with both teams combining for 11 minor infractions. The Senators struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, going 0-for-6 on the power play until Chambers' late goal. The Wildcats, meanwhile, killed penalties effectively and played a clean, opportunistic game at even strength. The victory was a testament to Nepean's balanced attack, highlighted by Bray's scoring touch and Francis's playmaking, backed by an impenetrable performance from Rioux in goal.
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