Jenn Gardiner scored in overtime Friday night to give Vancouver Goldeneyes a 6-5 win over Seattle Torrent at Climate Pledge Arena. The game featured 11 combined goals and kept Vancouver's fading playoff hopes alive with two regular-season games remaining.
The Goldeneyes and Torrent traded goals all night in a game that saw neither team hold a comfortable lead. Vancouver, sitting seventh in the standings with 32 points, needed the extra-time result to stay within striking distance of the playoff picture.
Gardiner's winner capped a strong stretch run for the Surrey, B.C. native. She carries 18 points on the season (5 goals, 13 assists) through 30 games and has been a consistent playmaker in Vancouver's lineup. Hannah Miller leads the Goldeneyes with 24 points, while Sarah Nurse has 23 points in 24 games.
Seattle's Hilary Knight, the league's most prolific scorer with 29 points this season, could not prevent the loss. Alex Carpenter added 23 points of her own, but the Torrent's defensive issues showed up again in a game that was never settled for long.
For the Torrent, who sit last in the standings at 27 points, the loss adds to what has been a difficult season. Seattle was eliminated from playoff contention earlier in the week and has activated the Gold Plan, entering the lottery for the top pick in the upcoming draft.
Vancouver faces Minnesota Frost on April 25 at Pacific Coliseum. Seattle hosts Montréal Victoire the same night at Climate Pledge Arena.