Ottawa rides fast start, 2 power-play goals to 1st-ever PWHL win

Gabbie Hughes scored two goals in leading visiting Ottawa to its first-ever win, 5-1 over Toronto in Professional Women's Hockey League action on Saturday.

Katerina Mrazova, Gabbie Hughes, Daryl Watts, Natalie Snodgrass added the others for Ottawa (1-0-1). Emerance Maschmeyer made 25 saves and picked up an assist.

Saturday's contest was only Ottawa's second of the season after having its game at Boston on Monday postponed due to inclement weather. The game was pushed back to Feb. 19.

Natalie Spooner scored the first-ever home goal for Toronto (1-3-0) in its second home contest. Toronto lost 4-0 in its home opener against New York on Jan. 1.

Kristen Campbell gave up three goals on 11 shots starting in net. Erica Howe stopped 13 of 15 shots in relief.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow performed the ceremonial puck drop in front of 2,417 in attendance at Mattamy Athletic Centre.

WATCH | Hughes's multi-goal performance paces Ottawa to victory:

Toronto found itself in a hole near the midway mark of the first period. After Jesse Compher was sent to the penalty box for holding an opponent's stick, Blayre Turnbull joined her for roughing.

Turnbull had a breakaway opportunity while short-handed but her shot attempt was stopped by a last-second effort from Jincy Roese who used her stick after catching up to Turnbull. Seconds later after failing to get the puck back, Turnbull was whistled after levelling Akane Shiga.

Mrazova opened the scoring 9:29 into the contest with the 5-on-3 advantage. She scored on a rebound from a Roese shot.

Hughes doubled up Ottawa's lead 48 seconds later on the power play. Amanda Boulier's shot from the left faceoff circle was stopped but Hughes cleaned up in front.

Watts made it a 3-0 game with 15.8 seconds