PWHL Toronto downs Ottawa to extend win streak to 7

It was a two-and-a-half-minute stretch early in the second period that told the tale Saturday.

Three goals in two minutes and 28 seconds early in the second period turned a 1-0 lead into a huge 4-0 cushion for PWHL Toronto in their 5-2 road win over PWHL Ottawa.

Natalie Spooner had a power-play goal and an assist to lead the charge, but it was goals from Brittany Howard, Hannah Miller and Samantha Cogan in that middle frame that allowed Toronto (6-3-0-5) to claim its seventh straight victory.

"Being able to manage the momentum shifts and capitalize on them, and us getting a power-play goal, was huge," Toronto forward Sarah Nurse said. "Our PK has been really good all year but it was really good for us to get a goal on that power play and once we got rolling five-on-on-five we were off to the races."

WATCH | Miller gives Toronto big lead:

Renata Fast, 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.

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 strikes first