Like so many of her teammates, the inaugural season of the Professional WomenB次元官网网址檚 Hockey League has held many firsts for Ottawa goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer.

She was one of the first three players to be signed to OttawaB次元官网网址檚 roster. She was in goal for OttawaB次元官网网址檚 first win. She was the first to have a gender reveal during practice.

Maschmeyer and her wife, former Team Canada goaltender Genevi猫ve Lacasse, are expecting their first child at the end of August.

At the end of practice Wednesday, Emily Clark B次元官网网址� donning a pink jersey B次元官网网址� and captain Brianne Jenner B次元官网网址� wearing blue B次元官网网址� participated in an obstacle course. Teammates, divided between team blue and team pink, cheered on Clark and Jenner as they raced around cones, did 360s, and pushed and shoved one another before Jenner ultimately crossed the finish line.

Maschmeyer and Lacasse were thrilled to realize a baby boy is on the way.

Maschmeyer, a native of Bruderheim, Alta., said the idea for the reveal came during a conversation with her longtime friend Clark on a road trip.

B次元官网网址淐larkie and I were just brainstorming silly ideas on the bus,B次元官网网址� said Maschmeyer. B次元官网网址淢y partner and I wanted it to be something around the rink and we thought this would be fun. We didnB次元官网网址檛 want to know the gender until that moment, and it was just so much fun.B次元官网网址�

Clark admitted sheB次元官网网址檚 a terrible liar and has a terrible poker face, so she didnB次元官网网址檛 want to know in advance whether the couple is having a boy or a girl. Jenner found out via email on Monday and she didnB次元官网网址檛 share the news with Clark until right before practice started.

B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 want to give it away,B次元官网网址� Clark said. B次元官网网址淚 was just so honoured to be a part of it.B次元官网网址�

Clark and Maschmeyer first crossed paths in 2012 when the two won U18 gold together. In many ways theyB次元官网网址檝e climbed the ranks together, winning three more gold for Team Canada along the way, and were thrilled to realize they would be living their hockey dreams side by side in Ottawa.

B次元官网网址淚 feel like sheB次元官网网址檚 such a huge part of my journey and a huge part of my story and hockey career,B次元官网网址� Clark said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 super grateful that weB次元官网网址檝e got to go through every step together. SheB次元官网网址檚 someone I lean on a ton whether itB次元官网网址檚 hockey or personal.B次元官网网址�

While Clark and Maschmeyer had an existing bond, thereB次元官网网址檚 no denying that going through the day-to-day rigours of a season creates a unique environment.

B次元官网网址淭he girls have become family,B次元官网网址� Maschmeyer said. B次元官网网址淓ven when I just told the team that we were expecting I was mauled in a pile and they were so excited for us.B次元官网网址�

Maschmeyer admitted she is the planner in the family and wants to have everything for the baby in place following the seasonB次元官网网址檚 conclusion, but for now her focus is on helping Ottawa win.

Ottawa (5-0-5-6) currently holds the fourth and final playoff spot but is tied with Boston (4-3-2-7) in points. The two face off Saturday in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena, making the three points up for grabs even more crucial.

Following Saturday, both teams will play two more games before a break in the schedule for the 2024 IIHF WomenB次元官网网址檚 World Championships.

Maschmeyer, with a 2.55 goals-against average, has carried the bulk of the workload for Ottawa this season, playing in all but one contest. TorontoB次元官网网址檚 Kristen Campbell is the only other goaltender to have played as many games.

Ottawa goaltending coach Pierre Groulx has been impressed with Maschmeyer and believes the best is yet to come.

B次元官网网址淚 think sheB次元官网网址檚 still growing and not even close to her peak,B次元官网网址� said Groulx. B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 a veteran presence thatB次元官网网址檚 still growing. She reads the game so well and 9.9 out of 10 (times) sheB次元官网网址檚 in position. SheB次元官网网址檚 a really big competitor, she wants to stop every puck.B次元官网网址�

Clark said MaschmeyerB次元官网网址檚 presence provides stability and calmness.

B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 so consistent, I think thatB次元官网网址檚 the biggest thing,B次元官网网址� said Clark. B次元官网网址淗er energy, effort, attitude and play. On any given day you know exactly what youB次元官网网址檙e going to get from her and what youB次元官网网址檙e getting is one of the best goalies in the world, so weB次元官网网址檙e very lucky.B次元官网网址�