Ottawa Charge captain Brianne Jenner says she has 'to be better' in second half of PWHL season

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The tea leaves suggest Brianne Jenner is about to start finding the back of the net again.

It’s more than just the goal she scored Saturday in Canada’s 3-1 “rivalry series” win over the Americans to match her season total through 13 games as the Ottawa Charge captain.

Jenner was a second-half producer in 2024 when she had two goals 15 games into the 24-game season, then finished with nine, tied for second-most on the team.

That included a burst of seven scores over a six-game stretch and a hat trick in a 4-0 win over Minnesota on April 20 at TD Place.

Jenner’s only goal this season also was against the Frost in a 1-0 victory at the Xcel Energy Center on Jan. 21 — and it will be Minnesota providing the opposition when the Charge begin the second half of their season at home on Thursday night.

Having their best all-around player staying hot against the Frost is imperative for the Charge, who are last in the PWHL standings with 17 points.

Ottawa’s biggest problem is scoring goals, with a league-low 27 in 15 games. Second-place Minnesota is the highest-scoring team in the PWHL with 47.

“It’s a tricky question,” the 33-year-old said when asked after Tuesday’s practice why her team has struggled to find the mesh consistently. “I know, personally, I’ve got to be better for the team and find a way to put more pucks on the net and in the net. When we do a good job with net-front traffic, that’s how a lot of goals are scored in this league. I know that’s an area we can definitely improve on.

“But I have to figure out a way myself to put those in the net.”

Jenner has 33 shots on goal through her first 13 games, trailing only teammates Emily Clark (43) and Tereza Vanisova (39), who both have four goals.

Last season, her shooting percentage was 11.5 percent when she was second on the team with 78 shots.

Jenner isn’t using excuses for the dip in her production. Whether she’s joking or not, she says she feels like she’s 22 and there are no injury issues.

“I’m feeling healthy,” she said. “I’m feeling good.”

Does the fact the team is averaging just 1.8 goals per game have anything to do with the system employed by the coaching staff?

“I don’t think we’re playing a style that necessarily limits offence,” Jenner said. “I think it’s going to come down to execution at this level. Speaking for myself, I think that can be better.”

In their first practice back from the break, the Charge worked on moving the puck into position.

“Starting from the breakout,” veteran defender Jocelyne Larocque said. “We did a lot of work on the breakouts and then some neutral zone and then offensive zone. There isn’t one single thing (that has to be done better). The games are close, so we’re trying to focus on what we can do, and that’s just managing the puck better and getting more pucks to the net. That’s from the ‘D,’ from the forwards, everyone.

“And really needing to battle harder in front of their net. I feel like in front of our net, we battle really hard, but we have to translate that to the front of their net.”

Jenner looks to lead the way.

“For sure I can generate more,” she said. “There’s probably too many games where I’m below what I want the shot total to be and then I think just some games where the chances are there. You don’t want to overthink it too much because I think when you’re in a bit of a slump like that, you want to just focus on the details and playing hard, and that’s usually what pulls you out of it.

“It’s kind of a tricky balance, but certainly, like I know that I have to perform better for the team and just try to keep my mindset focused on that. Usually, good defence, good habits, tend to turn things around offensively.”

Jenner says it’s up to the media to decide if she’s a second-half player but, at this point, she’d like to continue that trend by building on what she started with the goal for Team Canada on the weekend.

“It’s nice to get some momentum like that,” she said, adding her confidence still is intact. “I’ve played long enough to have been in slumps before and you just keep focusing on the work. I know what I can bring to this league and to this team, and I’m confident that I can help the team get some wins.”

Larocque, who also was with Team Canada at the rivalry series, is looking forward to helping the Charge make a playoff push.

“As much as the break was fun … any time I get to play with the national team, it’s always a blast, and it’s such an honour … but to come back and to work on the second half as a group, it’s important,” she said.

“Everyone’s really focused, really looking forward to the last half, and everyone’s excited to get the games going. The record may not show it, but we feel like we’re in a great spot.

“The vibes are great. Everyone’s working hard and working towards the things that we need to get better, and just striving to get better every day.”