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Category: Women’s Hockey

  • Busy Day in the PWHL

    Busy Day in the PWHL

    On Friday, September 1st, 2023, it would be a busy day in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) with hiring’s and signings.

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    Naming General Managers

    Kicking off the day the PWHL would announce at 9a EST the General Managers for all six clubs.

    The Professional Women's Hockey League would announce the six General Managers for their inaugural season as they would kick off a busy day in the PWHL. - Graphic Courtesy of the PWHL
    The Professional Women’s Hockey League would announce the six General Managers for their inaugural season as they would kick off a busy day in the PWHL. – Graphic Courtesy of the PWHL

    The six individuals that would be named General Manager for the league’s six teams would be:

    Boston

    Danielle Marmer – Marmer comes from the Boston Bruins where she served the last year as a Player Development and Scouting Assistant, where she would become the first woman to hold an on-ice role with the organization. Marmer was previously the Director of Player Development at Quinnipiac University and an assistant coach for Connecticut College’s Women’s Hockey team. Raised in Dorset, Vermont, Marmer’s playing experience includes being a member of the winningest class in Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey history.

    Minnesota

    Natalie Darwitz – Darwitz’s playing career included winning three Olympic medals, three IIHF World Championship gold medals, and two NCAA National Championships at the University of Minnesota. She is also a former U.S. Olympic Team Captain and three-time NCAA All-American. Darwitz spent the last two seasons as an Associate Head Coach of the Gophers NCAA D1 women’s hockey team.

    Montreal

    Danièle Sauvageau – Originally from Deux-Montagnes, Quebec, Sauvageau’s wide range of experience includes coaching Canada’s National Women’s Team to its first ever Olympic Gold Medal in 2002, becoming the first woman to coach in the Canadian Hockey League (QMJHL), and founding the women’s hockey program at the University of Montreal. Sauvageau also held the GM role for the PWHPA’s Montreal region from 2020-23 and head coach from 2020-22.

    New York

    Pascal Daoust – Daoust’s hockey career has spanned nearly three decades across a multitude of roles in the game. Most recently, he served as the General Manager of the Val-d’Or Foreurs of the QMJHL from 2016-23. Prior to the QMJHL, Daoust was also an Assistant Coach for the startup University of Montreal’s women’s hockey team, winning two national championships, along with three additional national podiums, in seven seasons.

    Ottawa

    Michael Hirshfeld – For the past seven years Hirshfeld served as the Executive Director of the NHL Coaches’ Association (NHLCA). His role included fostering the NHLCA’s relationships with hockey federations and associations across North America, Europe, and Asia., as well as support to coaches of all levels across the NHL and AHL.

    Toronto

    Gina Kingsbury – Kingsbury most recently served as Vice President of Hockey Operations at Hockey Canada and has also been the General Manager of Canadian Women’s National Team Programs since 2018. As General Manager of the CWNTP she has won Olympic gold in 2022 and back-to-back gold at the 2021 and 2022 IIHF Women’s World Championships.

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    The PWHL Draft

    Then at 10a EST the PWHL announced the results of the draft lottery that was conducted to to establish the order for the inaugural PWHL Draft which will take place on Monday, September 18th, 2023.

    The lottery was administered by PWHL Hockey Operations using a computerized list randomizer during a video conference call with all six General Managers. Teams had equal odds of securing the top pick in the lottery process.

    The draft will consist of 15 rounds and 90 total picks, and will use a snake format in which, once a round is completed, the following round will be conducted with the teams selecting in the reverse order of the previous round. There will be no draft picks traded until at least the completion of the 2023-24 season.

    Any player who is interested in competing in the 2023-24 PWHL season must declare for the draft by Sept. 3. Prior to the Sept. 18 draft, a 10-day free agency period will commence at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sept. 1 allowing each team the opportunity to sign three players to Standard Player Agreements.

    After conducting the draft lottery, the Montreal franchise was awarded the first overall pick in the PWHL Draft. The draft order is as follows:

    2023 PWHL DRAFT ORDER OF SELECTION

    Round 1:
    1. Minnesota, 2. Toronto, 3. Boston, 4. New York, 5. Ottawa, 6. Montreal.

    Round 2:
    7. Montreal, 8. Ottawa, 9. New York, 10. Boston, 11. Toronto, 12. Minnesota.

    Round 3:
    13. Minnesota, 14. Toronto, 15. Boston, 16. New York, 17. Ottawa, 18. Montreal.

    Round 4:
    19. Montreal, 20. Ottawa, 21. New York, 22. Boston, 23. Toronto, 24. Minnesota.

    Round 5:
    25. Minnesota, 26. Toronto, 27. Boston, 28. New York, 29. Ottawa, 30. Montreal.

    Round 6:
    31. Montreal, 32. Ottawa, 33. New York, 34. Boston, 35. Toronto, 36. Minnesota.

    Round 7:
    37. Minnesota, 38. Toronto, 39. Boston, 40. New York, 41. Ottawa, 42. Montreal.

    Round 8:
    43. Montreal, 44. Ottawa, 45. New York, 46. Boston, 47. Toronto, 48. Minnesota.

    Round 9:
    49. Minnesota, 50. Toronto, 51. Boston, 52. New York, 53. Ottawa, 54. Montreal.

    Round 10:
    55. Montreal, 56. Ottawa, 57. New York, 58. Boston, 59. Toronto, 60. Minnesota.

    Round 11:
    61. Minnesota, 62. Toronto, 63. Boston, 64. New York, 65. Ottawa, 66. Montreal.

    Round 12:
    67. Montreal, 68. Ottawa, 69. New York, 70. Boston, 71. Toronto, 72. Minnesota.

    Round 13:
    73. Minnesota, 74. Toronto, 75. Boston, 76. New York, 77. Ottawa, 78. Montreal.

    Round 14:
    79. Montreal, 80. Ottawa, 81. New York, 82. Boston, 83. Toronto, 84. Minnesota.

    Round 15:
    85. Minnesota, 86. Toronto, 87. Boston, 88. New York, 89. Ottawa, 90. Montreal.

    Free Agency Opens

    As of 1p EST Free Agency opened up, it would continue the busy day in the PWHL. - Graphic Courtesy of the PWHL
    As of 1p EST Free Agency opened up, it would continue the busy day in the PWHL. – Graphic Courtesy of the PWHL

    Then at 1p ET Free Agency would officially open. All six teams will have an opportunity to sign three players before the Draft. Free Agency will be open until September 10th.

    Any player that is not drafted will be able to sign with any team as an undrafted free agent.

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  • Welcome to The PWHL

    Welcome to The PWHL

    Today we welcome the PWHL as the Professional Women’s Hockey League and the six team locations are officially announced.

    In today’s conference call that was used to introduce the PWHL, we would hear from Board member Stan Kasten, and Hockey Operations Senior Vice President Jayna Hefford.

    Brian Burke would also be officially introduced as the Executive Director of the PWHLPA.

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    Notes

    Per Stan Kasten, the League is officially the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), and the website is officially thePWHL.com. Today is also officially day one for the League.

    The PWHL 2023-24 season will officially begin in January 2024 with a 24 game season. The 2024-25 season to begin in November 2024 with a 32 game schedule.

    As we welcome the PWHL, we are introduced to the six cities that will house the PWHL’s Original Six. – Photo Courtesy of the PWHL

    Locations

    On the call we would learn of the six locations for the new PWHL teams. The six teams will be located in:

    Boston

    New York (City area)

    Minnesota (Minneapolis-St. Paul)

    Montreal

    Toronto

    Ottawa

    Team names, jerseys, logos, and arenas/training facilities are still in a work in progress.

    The NHL is working with the PWHL on helping schedule neutral site games in markets that won’t have teams this season. NHL is working in a consultative state currently.

    The schedule for the 2023-24 season is expected to released in October 2023.

    As we welcome the PWHL, Key Dates were provided regarding Free Agency and the Draft. - Photo Courtesy of the PWHL
    As we welcome the PWHL, Key Dates were provided regarding Free Agency and the Draft. – Photo Courtesy of the PWHL

    Player Selection Process

    Also on the call we would learn of the Player Selection Process for the PWHL.

    A list of over 300 players from around the world that has been deemed eligible for the PWHL has been compiled, and will be supplied to the General Managers. General Managers are expected to be named soon.

    All players will need to declare their eligibility for the Draft by Sept. 3rd. The Draft will take place in Toronto on Sept. 18th. There will be 15 Rounds in the Draft.

    Per the PWHL release for the Draft Selection Process, the order of selection for the first round will be determined by a draft lottery. The following rounds will follow the “snake format” which will see the subsequent rounds be conducted with the teams selecting in the reverse order of the previous round. No draft picks can be traded until the completion of the 2023-24 season.

    Once a player is drafted, the team will hold their rights for two years. If a player goes unsigned for two years, they will become eligible to enter the draft again. However, a player can not declare for more than two drafts.

    Sept. 1st Free Agency will open, and for the first ten days the General Managers will be allowed to sign three players. Any player who does not get drafted will become a free agent immediately following the draft, and can sign a Standard Player Agreement with any team.

    No more than 20 Standard Player Agreements per team are permitted to be executed in advance of 2023-24 Training Camps, which will commence in November. Six players on each team will be signed to three-year SPAs of no less than $80,000 per league year. In 2023-24, up to five players on each team will be signed to two-year SPAs. A player will become a free agent following the termination or end date of a signed SPA.

    PWHL Press Release

    Per the CBA, Training Camp is required to have 28 players attending. Training Camp is expected to begin in early November and run for about six weeks.

    Welcome to The PWHL – Working PWHL Logo until official one is released.

    Final Thoughts

    At this time the jury is still out for me. There was a lot of information thrown our way, but still a lot of questions to be answered. One question will be about the Transgender Policy and how inclusive it will truly be. We know Brian Burke is a full fledged ally of the LGBT+ community, so it will be interesting to see how this policy comes out.

    I’m interested in seeing who the six General Managers are going to be, and what comes of Free Agency which starts this Friday. I’m also interested in seeing who all of the players were that made the list of 300 plus that were deemed eligible for the Draft. I’m genuinely interested in seeing how many players from the PHF were placed on that list.

    Lastly, I’m really interested in seeing how the PWHL wins over the fans that are going to hold out over how the sale and shuttering of the PHF went down. There are a lot of fans who were loyal to the PHF, and are bitter about how the PHF is no longer around. So I’d like to see how the PWHL addresses those fans and how they plan to build a bridge to close that divide.

    The PWHL has hit the ground running for it’s first official day, and there is a lot more to come in the coming days, weeks, and months, so stay tuned.

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  • We’re All Stars Now, In The Dope Show

    We’re All Stars Now, In The Dope Show

    We are 20 days away from a movie about the making of the atomic bomb being released in theatres, (Oppenheimer.) Last night, women’s hockey decided to drop not just any kind of news, it was THE bombshell of a story.

    The evening started out innocent enough, until SportsNet’s Jeff Marek tweeted this, which was also confirmed by The Ice Garden’s Dan Rice.

    About an hour later, Jeff Marek hit us with the news:

    He also stated this pretty clearly too:

    So, what does that mean for the players of the PHF? Well, for those that have already signed for next season, Marek had the following to say:

    Let the chaos begin. Remember where you were on Thursday, June 29th, 2023.

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    Hard getting all of the information gathered, but here are a few things that were stated:

    Shayna of The Athletic

    Melissa Burgess of The Victory Press

    Greg Wyshynski, Senior NHL Writer at ESPN

    Ian Kennedy of The Hockey News and Yahoo Sports NHL

    Ben Steiner of CBC Sports in Canada

    Mike Murphy of The Ice Garden

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    As of writing this, the PHF has no official statement. As confirmed by Ian Kennedy:

    And Erin Brown of The Hockey News chimed in with this about the PWHPA:

    Greg Wyshynski also said this:

    Where does the landscape of women’s hockey go from here? Hard to say, we will just have to wait and see when more details come out.

    Although, this whole situation reeks of when Vince McMahon and the WWF bought out WCW:

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    It’s now , today June, 30th, 2023, and we had more details come out.

    As for teams that will survive all of this, Ian Kennedy provides the scoop here:

    Hailey Salvian of The Athletic had this to say:
    (Please also check out her article.)

    Jeff Marek:

    Also, this:

    Statement from the PWHPA:

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    Official Statement from the PHF:

    NEW WOMEN’S PRO HOCKEY LEAGUE TO LAUNCH IN 2024
    Initiative, Led by Mark and Kimbra Walter, Billie Jean King Has PWHPA and PHF Support

    CHICAGO AND BOSTON, JUNE 30, 2023 — A new professional hockey league, featuring the world’s best women’s players, will launch in January 2024.

    The new league was announced today by business and philanthropic leaders Mark and Kimbra Walter, sports icon Billie Jean King, and Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) Governors Johanna and John Boynton. The league will be supported financially by the Walters and led by board members including King, sports executive Ilana Kloss, and Los Angeles Dodgers President Stan Kasten.

    The new league has acquired assets of the PHF and has spent months negotiating a collective bargaining agreement with the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA). These actions will enable the new league to move forward in unprecedented ways. The new league will undertake a thorough and equitable process to ensure that it features the best women’s hockey players in the world.

    “I have always believed that professional sports should bring the highest levels of performance and organization, and this new league will have the backing and resources it needs to represent the very best of women’s hockey,” said Mark Walter, who is the controlling owner of the Dodgers and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, co-general partner of the ownership group of the Premier League’s Chelsea Football Club and holder of a significant interest in the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers.

    “This is an extraordinary opportunity to advance women’s sports,” said King. “I have no doubt that this league can capture the imagination of fans and a new generation of players. I want to thank Mark and Kimbra Walter for their vision and commitment to investing in women’s sports.”

    “This is another step forward for the women who play professional hockey and the girls who dream of it every day,” Johanna Boynton said. “The PHF has been a game-changer and catalyst for growth in the women’s professional game. Today’s announcement builds on this foundation, represents a shared vision for one new league, and reaffirms our belief that collective and collaborative leadership is in the best interest of women’s professional hockey.”

    “I celebrate this transformational moment for women’s professional hockey,” said Kasten, who represented the Walters in both transactions. “I thank Jayna Hefford, Kendall Coyne Schofield and the PWHPA player bargaining committee, Johanna and John Boynton and their partners at the PHF, and PHF Commissioner Reagan Carey for their essential roles in this historic accomplishment.”

    “This new league will be unlike anything we have seen in women’s hockey,” said Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and PWHPA lead, Jayna Hefford. “I am inspired by this generation of players who are redefining the sport. We will create dreams and opportunities for girls and women around the world for decades to come.”

    “I am extremely proud of our PWHPA group, which has remained committed to our vision and steadfast in our efforts to change the landscape of women’s professional hockey forever,” said Coyne Schofield. “Over the past four years, we have worked tirelessly to close the gap on what young girls and boys could dream to become in this sport.”

    “This effort is the most significant development in our game since women’s ice hockey became an Olympic sport 25 years ago,” said Carey. “Players, fans, past pioneers, and future generations deserve to see the best athletes come together to elevate professional women’s hockey as never before.”

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  • Whale Weekend Recap – Coming Up Just Short In Steel City

    Whale Weekend Recap – Coming Up Just Short In Steel City

    The Whale return to the Steel City of Pittsburgh, PA this past weekend. It’s the first time they’ve played here since December 2, 2018, where they would get a 4-0 win against the Metropolitan Riveters.

    This time, Connecticut would play the newest PHF team in the Montreal Force. Here is how the two teams would line up:

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    Before the recap, the Connecticut Whale wore special jerseys to honor the Pittsburgh Pennies!

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    Early in the first period, it would be the Connecticut Whale who would get on the board first. A great offensive forecheck from Justine Reyes would see the Montreal defender turn the puck over to Katerina Mrazova. She would cut to the middle and slide the puck underneath the goalie for her fifth goal of the season.

    The lead would not last long, as Montreal would tie up the game two minutes later. Ann-Sophie Bettez would skate up the left side of the ice, and deke the Whale defender. She would slide the puck five hole past Raisanen and in the net. The assists on the play would come from Christine Deaudelin and Marie-Soleil Deschenes.

    Two minutes later, the Connecticut Whale would re-capture the lead. While the Whale were on a power play, a pass from Allie Monroe would find Melissa Samoskevich on the left side cutting in. She would feed the puck down low to Alyssa Wohlfeiler, who would pass it back to Samoskevich in the slot, and she would shoot it past Deschenes. A very nice give and go play while on the advantage.

    Three minutes later, the Montreal Force would once again tie up the game. Jade Downie-Landry would circle the left point and fire a pass over to the right circle. Where the puck would be one-timed home by Samantha Isbell, as the puck somehow avoided Raisanen’s glove. The other assist on the play would come from Ann-Sophie Bettez. The first period would end with both teams tied at 2 a piece.

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    The second period would see the Connecticut Whale once again take the lead in the game, for the third time. The goal would come from Kennedy Marchment. It would be her seventh goal of the season. The assists on the play would come from Caitrin Lonergan and Allie Monroe.

    However, four minutes later, the Montreal Force would once again tie up the game. Ann-Sophie Bettez would nab her second goal of the game and her seventh goal of the season. The assists on the play would come from Samantha Isbell, her second point of the game, and Brigitte Laganiere. The two teams would head to the third period tied at 3 a piece.

    At the one minute mark in the third period, would see the Connecticut Whale once again, for the fourth time, find the lead in the game. The goal coming from Kennedy Marchment, her second of the game and eighth of the season. A shot from the point would see the puck bounce all over the place, but it would find the stick of Caitrin Lonergan, who would feed the puck back to the slot. Where Kennedy Marchment would gather the puck and roof a shot into the empty cage.

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    The lead would only last three minutes, as for the fourth time in the game, the Montreal Force would comeback to tie it up. Ann-Sophie Bettez would complete her hat trick and grab her eighth goal of the season. A bad neutral zone turnover by the Whale defenders would see a 2 on 1 opportunity for Montreal. Jade Downie-Landry would carry the puck from the left side and feed a nice pass to Bettez, who slid it underneath the pads of Raisanen.

    With 19 seconds left, Montreal would take the lead for the first time in the game. Brigitte Laganiere would find herself in the right corner along the goal line. She would fire the puck towards the net that somehow the puck would find the back of the net.

    And that would be the final goal of the game, as Montreal would steal it late by a score of 5-4.

    Marie-Soleil Deschenes would get the start for Montreal, and she would face 32 shots, making 28 saves; while Meeri Raisanen would get the nod for Connecticut, as she would face 37 shots, making 32 saves.

    Boxscore

    Next Game:

    The next games for the Connecticut Whale will be a Tuesday and Wednesday affair with the Buffalo Beauts, while the next game for the Montreal Force will be next weekend and will see them square off against the Boston Pride.

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  • PHF Whale Recap – Weekend Split

    PHF Whale Recap – Weekend Split

    The Connecticut Whale played two games this past weekend to kick off their 2023 new year. Let’s see how they did:

    January 5th:

    In their first game, they played the Boston Pride. It’s the third time these two teams have met this season. In their first meeting, the Pride won 4-0, the Whale would win the second game 6-4. This time, it would be Boston that would come out victorious by a score of 5-2.

    Boston would notch the first goal of the game, very early on. The tally coming from Christina Putigna, her third goal of the season, with the assists on the play coming from Jenna Rheault and Allie Thunstrom. Boston would then add 3 more goals in the second period, giving them 4 unanswered goals in the game. The goals coming from Taylor Wenczkowski, her second goal, Elizabeth Giguere, her fifth goal, and Jillian Dempsey, her eighth goal.

    The Whale would answer with 2 goals of their own before the end of the period. The first goal coming via shorthanded, scored by Taylor Girard. It would be her fourth goal of the season, and her third shorthanded goal, which leads the league. The other Connecticut goal was scored by Justine Reyes, her second goal of the year.

    Loren Gabel would add the lone goal in the third period for the Pride, which came via an empty net, and it would confirm the 5-2 victory for the Pride.

    Corinne Schroeder would get the start for the Boston Pride, and she would face 40 shots, making 38 saves. While Abbie Ives got the start for the Connecticut Whale, and she would face 23 shots, making 19 saves.

    The three stars of the game were Loren Gabel, Justine Reyes, and Elizabeth Giguere

    Boxscore

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    Postgame Audio:

    Thank you D.F. Pendrys for the post game audio!

    Pride Head Coach Paul Mara:

    Pride Defender Kali Flanagan:

    Whale Defender Shannon Turner:

    January 8th:

    The second weekend game for the Connecticut Whale saw them square off against the Metropolitan Riveters. This time the Whale would find themselves victorious, and in shutout fashion.

    The Whale would start off by nabbing 3 first period goals, and they never looked back. The goalscorers were, last season’s MVP, Kennedy Marchment, her sixth goal, Taylor Girard, her fifth goal, and Caitrin Lonergan, her second goal.

    The Whale would add another goal in the second period, to take a 4-0 lead heading into the third period, the lone goal would come from Emma Keenan, her second goal of the season, with the assists on the play coming from Taylor Girard and Hannah Bates.

    Connecticut would score two more goals in the third period, making the score 6-0. The two goals scored by Katerina Mrazova, her third and fourth goals of the season. That would finish the scoring in the game, as the Whale would win this one by a score of 6-0.

    Eveliina Makinen would get the start for Metropolitan Riveters, and would only play in the first period, she would face 7 shots, making 4 saves, with Katie Burt would come in relief for the last two periods, she would face 27 shots, making 24 saves. Meeri Raisanen would get the start for the Connecticut Whale, she would stop all 23 shots she faced, earning her first shutout of the season, and her second career NWHL/PHF shutout. (Her other shutout coming during the 2018-19 season.)

    The three stars of the game were Meeri Raisanen, Taylor Girard, and Katerina Mrazova

    Boxscore

    Next Game:

    The next game the Connecticut Whale play will be on January 14th against the Montreal Force. That game will start at 3p in the Steel City of Pittsburgh, PA.

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  • 3 Third Period Goals Lead Whitecaps To Win

    3 Third Period Goals Lead Whitecaps To Win

    Before we get into the details of today’s game, here are some quotes from yesterday’s tilt, as provided by D.F Pendrys:

    https://twitter.com/dfpendrys/status/1601589640107917314?s=20&t=35fVG3JizBKE_brPwtvBSQ
    https://twitter.com/dfpendrys/status/1601590675782385667?s=20&t=35fVG3JizBKE_brPwtvBSQ
    https://twitter.com/dfpendrys/status/1601591495999356931?s=20&t=35fVG3JizBKE_brPwtvBSQ
    Thank you for the awesome quotes!
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    The second game of the weekend series between the Connecticut Whale and the Minnesota Whitecaps took place today. Connecticut won the first game by a score of 2-0. Earning her first professional shutout was Abbie Ives. Here is how the two teams would line up for Game 2:

    In the first period, the home Connecticut Whale would get on the board first, the goal coming from Justine Reyes, her first PHF goal of the season. A pass from behind the net from Lenka Serdar would find a streaking Reyes heading toward the net. She would roof a backhand shot over the blocker of Amanda Leveille.

    2 minutes later, the Whitecaps would tie up the game. After a great scoring chance in the offensive zone for the Whale, a 2 on 1 rush going the other way for Minnesota would breakout. A pass from Sidney Morin to Jonna Albers in the neutral zone would see her carry the puck up the left side of the ice, and she would get the shot over Raisanen’s glove.

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    Before the end of the first period, the Whale would take the lead once again. The goal would come from Taylor Girard, her second goal of the season. The lone assist on the play would come from Katerina Mrazova. The Whale would take a 2-1 lead heading into the second period.

    There was no scoring in the second period, as both goalies came up with the saves on the offensive chances. The shot counter was even tied at the end of the period, both teams tallying seven shots on net.

    Very early in the third period, the Whitecaps would once again tie up the game. The goal would come from Denisa Krizova, her second goal of the season. A nice backhand pass from behind the net would see Krizova re-direct the puck towards the net and would get by a disbelieving Raisanen.

    Later in the period, the Whitecaps would take the lead for the first time in the game. Natalie Snodgrass would carry the puck into the offensive zone from the right side. She would send a backhand pass to the middle, and Olivia Knowles would slam the puck underneath Raisanen and in the net.

    Before the end of the game, the Whitecaps would double their lead. The goal coming from Natalie Snodgrass, her third goal of the season, and her third point in the game. A backhand pass from Amanda Boulier would find Snodgrass on the right side of the ice. She would send a low shot that would get through a maze of legs and underneath Raisanen.

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    Before the end of the game, Connecticut would get a consolation goal. The goal being tallied by Katerina Mrazova, her first PHF goal of the season and her first since 2019 when the league was the NWHL.

    The Whitecaps would hold on to get the 4-3 victory.

    Amanda Leveille of the Minnesota Whitecaps would face 28 shots, making 25 saves; while Meeri Raisanen of the Connecticut Whale would face 22 shots, making 18 saves.

    D.F. Pendrys was also kind enough to provide some postgame thoughts on today’s game:

    Head Coach Colton Orr:

    https://twitter.com/dfpendrys/status/1601721038269972480?s=20&t=WYpBYhx1pOA3gasBhMWNaA

    Justine Reyes:

    https://twitter.com/dfpendrys/status/1601725297627308032?s=20&t=WYpBYhx1pOA3gasBhMWNaA

    Mallory Souliotis:

    https://twitter.com/dfpendrys/status/1601724783636488194?s=20&t=WYpBYhx1pOA3gasBhMWNaA

    Boxscore

    Next Game:

    The next game that the Connecticut Whale play will be on 12/17 against the Metropolitan Riveters at 2p. While the next game for the Minnesota Whitecaps will be against the Montreal Force also on 12/17 at 7p.

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  • Ives Earns First Professional Shutout

    Ives Earns First Professional Shutout

    Before detailing the hockey game between the visiting Minnesota Whitecaps and the Connecticut Whale, I would like to offer my deepest condolences on the passing of American soccer journalist Grant Wahl, who was covering the games at the World Cup in Qatar.

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    For the first time this season, the Minnesota Whitecaps and Connecticut Whale squared off against each other. The last time these two teams met was in the semi-final playoff game which saw the Whale prevail by a score of 4-2. Here is how the two teams would line up:

    Also worth noting that the Whale debut a new jersey for their home opener, it is called the Dark Seas jersey.

    Looks so good!

    In the first period, it was the home Whale team who would strike first and get on the scoreboard. The goal coming via the power play by Kennedy Marchment, her third goal of the season. A beautiful pass from the left side by Katerina Mrazova to the backdoor found Marchment hanging on the right side and a wide open net to deposit the puck. The Whale would take a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

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    There was no scoring in the second period, but the run of play would favor the Connecticut Whale, as they dominated the shot department by a tally of 18-5. Amanda Leveille would keep the score close and the Whitecaps in the game.

    In the third period, the Whale would double their lead. A 3 on 2 offensive rush would see Taylor Girard carry the puck up the left side, lay off a drop pass that found Kennedy Marchment coming up the middle. Marchment would freeze the goalie and slide a pass to Alyssa Wohlfeiler, who was on her right side, and would have a wide open net to shoot at. It would be Wohlfeiler’s second goal of the season, and Marchment’s second point of the game.

    The Whale would see out the 2-0 victory, earning Abbie Ives her first professional shutout. It would also be the second win in a row for Connecticut.

    Amanda Leveille of the Minnesota Whitecaps faced 43 shots, making 41 saves; while Abbie Ives of the Connecticut Whale would stop all 24 shots she faced, earning the shutout.

    Boxscore

    Next Game:

    These two teams will square off again tomorrow at 2p.

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  • Le Vainqueur De La Fin De La Troisième Période Voit Whale Top Force

    Le Vainqueur De La Fin De La Troisième Période Voit Whale Top Force

    La série de fin de semaine entre le Connecticut Whale et la Force de Montréal a eu lieu en début d’après-midi. Dans le tout premier match entre ces deux équipes, Montréal a remporté la victoire avec un but en fin de troisième période, puis un but gagnant en fusillade pour obtenir la victoire 4-3.

    Voici comment les deux équipes s’aligneraient pour ce match :

    Montréal n’a pas affiché son onze de départ.
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    En première période, le Connecticut, comme ils l’ont fait hier, s’est inscrit en premier. Le but venant de la nouvelle venue Emma Keenan. Elle avait une semi-échappée en direction de la zone offensive. Elle a lancé un tir qui a déjoué la gardienne, mais pas le poteau. Cependant, elle a obtenu un rebond chanceux qui a vu la rondelle frapper le dos du gardien de but et rouler dans le filet. Le Whale prendrait les devants 1-0 avant la deuxième période.

    Au début de la deuxième période, la Force créerait l’égalité. La rondelle portée derrière le but de Whale par Ann-Sophie Bettez trouverait le bâton de Jade Downie-Landry, qui la porterait devant le filet. La rondelle rebondissait sur le patin d’un défenseur des baleines et sortait de la bouche du filet, un tir du revers de Sarah Lefort battait Abbie Ives sous son bloqueur et dans le filet.

    Cinq minutes plus tard, le Whale prendrait à nouveau la tête du match. En sortant de la zone défensive de Whale, Taylor Girard a porté la rondelle sur le côté gauche de la glace, obtenant un 2 contre 1. Elle a effectué une belle passe qui a trouvé la bande d’Alyssa Wohlfeiler qui n’avait que du filet sur lequel tirer. Le Whale prendrait une avance de 2-1 avant la troisième période.

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    À mi-chemin de la troisième période, le Force de Montréal pourrait encore une fois créer l’égalité. Le but viendrait de Kaity Howarth, son premier but de la saison. La seule aide sur le jeu viendrait de Gabrielle De Serres, son premier point de la saison.

    Une minute plus tard, la baleine trouverait à nouveau le moyen de prendre la tête du match. Le but du MVP Kennedy Marchment de la saison dernière. Une passe bancaire dans la zone neutre par Mallory Souliotis trouverait une séquence Alyssa Wohlfeiler se dirigeant vers le côté droit de la glace. Elle adressait une passe à Kennedy Marchment, qui lançait la rondelle au filet. Il a fallu une déviation étrange et passerait en quelque sorte par le gant du gardien de but et dans le filet.

    Cela s’avérerait être le vainqueur du match, car la baleine s’accrocherait pour obtenir sa première victoire de l’année par un score de 3-2.

    Tricia Deguire obtiendrait le départ pour la Force de Montréal, elle ferait face à 33 tirs, réalisant 30 arrêts; tandis qu’Abbie Ives du Connecticut Whale ferait face à 37 tirs, effectuant 35 arrêts.

    Le score de la boîte

    Prochain jeu:

    La prochaine série de matchs pour le Connecticut Whale sera contre les Whitecaps du Minnesota les 12/9 et 12/10. Alors que le prochain match du Force de Montréal sera aussi contre les Whitecaps du Minnesota les 12/17 et 12/18.

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  • Late Third Period Winner Sees Whale Top Force

    Late Third Period Winner Sees Whale Top Force

    The weekend series between the Connecticut Whale and Montreal Force took place early this afternoon. In the first ever game between these two teams, saw Montreal earn the victory with a late third period goal and then a shootout winner to get the 4-3 victory.

    Here is how the two teams would line up for this game:

    Montreal did not post their starting line up.
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    In the first period, Connecticut, like they did yesterday, got on the board first. The goal coming from newcomer Emma Keenan. She had a semi-breakaway heading into the offensive zone. She launched a shot that would beat the goaltender, but not the post. However, she got a fortunate bounce that would see the puck hit the goalie’s back and roll into the net. The Whale would take the 1-0 lead heading into the second period.

    Early in the second period, the Force would tie the game. The puck carried behind the Whale goal by Ann-Sophie Bettez would find the stick of Jade Downie-Landry, who would carry it to the front of the net. The puck would bounce off a Whale defender’s skate and out of the net mouth scramble, a backhanded shot by Sarah Lefort would beat Abbie Ives under her blocker and in the net.

    Five minutes later, the Whale would once again take the lead in the game. Breaking out of the Whale defensive zone saw Taylor Girard carrying the puck up the left side of the ice, getting a 2 on 1. She would lay a beautiful pass that would find the tape of Alyssa Wohlfeiler who had nothing but net to shoot at. The Whale would take a 2-1 lead heading into the third period.

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    Halfway through the third period would once again find that the Montreal Force could tie up the game. The goal would come from Kaity Howarth, her first goal of the season. The lone assist on the play would come from Gabrielle De Serres, her first point of the season.

    A minute later, the Whale would once again find a way to take the lead in the game. The goal coming from last season’s MVP Kennedy Marchment. A bank pass in the neutral zone by Mallory Souliotis would find a streaking Alyssa Wohlfeiler heading up the right side of the ice. She would lay a pass to Kennedy Marchment, who would fire the puck at the net. It took a weird deflection and would somehow go by the glove of the goalie and in the net.

    This would prove to be the game winner, as the Whale would hang on to get their first victory of the year by a score of 3-2.

    Tricia Deguire would get the start for the Montreal Force, she would face 33 shots, making 30 saves; while Abbie Ives of the Connecticut Whale would face 37 shots, making 35 saves.

    Boxscore

    Next Game:

    The next set of games for the Connecticut Whale will be against the Minnesota Whitecaps on 12/9 and 12/10. While the next game for the Montreal Force will be also against the Minnesota Whitecaps on 12/17 and 12/18.

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  • Le Vainqueur Du But Et De La Fusillade En Retard Voit La Force Vaincre La Baleine

    Le Vainqueur Du But Et De La Fusillade En Retard Voit La Force Vaincre La Baleine

    Pour la première fois depuis le début de la saison, il y a une journée de jeu Connecticut Whale. La dernière fois que le Whale a joué, c’était le 5 novembre contre le Boston Pride, dans lequel ils ont perdu ce match 4-0. La prochaine série de matchs que les Whale étaient censés patiner était les 19 et 20 novembre contre les Buffalo Beauts. Malheureusement, ces matchs ont été reportés en raison de la neige abondante que Buffalo a reçue à l’époque.

    Les derniers matchs du Force de Montréal ont été contre les Metropolitan Riverers les 26 et 27 novembre. Dans lequel ils ont divisé cette série, remportant le premier match 5-3 et échouant dans le deuxième match, 3-2. Voici comment les deux équipes s’aligneraient :

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    En première période, ce serait le Connecticut Whale en visite qui frapperait en premier dans le match. Le but de la joueuse de deuxième année Janka Hlinka, son premier but de la saison. Elle a patiné sur le côté droit de la glace et a lancé un tir du cercle droit qui a battu la gardienne de but et s’est retrouvé au fond du filet. La seule passe décisive viendrait de Tori Sullivan, son premier point de la saison.

    Avant la fin de la première période, les Whale allaient alors doubler leur avance. Le but viendrait alors que l’équipe était en désavantage numérique. Une connexion trop familière la saison dernière obtiendrait leur première série de points de l’année. Le but de la recrue de l’année dernière Taylor Girard avec l’aide du MVP Kennedy Marchment de la saison dernière. Le Whale prendrait une avance de 2-0 avant la deuxième période.

    Au début de la deuxième période, la Force amorçait sa tentative de retour en coupant l’avance de moitié. Le but de Kristina Shanahan, son deuxième but de la saison. La seule aide sur le jeu venant de Taylor Baker.

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    Avant la fin de la deuxième période, la Force allait créer l’égalité. Pendant le jeu de puissance, une bombe coup de tonnerre de Christine Deaudelin de la ligne bleue verrait la rondelle échapper à tous les corps devant, y compris le gardien de but et dans le coin supérieur du filet.

    Au début de la troisième période, le Connecticut Whale reprenait la tête. Le but de Kennedy Marchment, son deuxième point du match. Girard a contourné le cercle gauche et a décoché un tir bas devant le filet. À travers tout le chaos, la rondelle a trouvé la bande de Marchment, qui l’a glissée à la maison, à travers le cinq trou.

    Avant la fin du match, la Force lierait à nouveau le match. Alors que le Whale était encerclé dans sa zone défensive, une passe de Brigitte Laganiere à travers la ligne bleue trouverait le bâton de Catherine Daoust, qui l’a chronométré devant tout le monde et dans le filet ouvert. C’était son premier but de la saison, et un gros pour avoir le match nul à la fin du règlement.

    Il n’y a pas eu de score en prolongation, donc le match est passé à une fusillade. Où le seul but est venu au troisième tour pour Montréal, marqué par Ann-Sophie Bettez.

    Meeri Raisanen du Connecticut Whale a fait face à 26 tirs, effectuant 23 arrêts; tandis que Tricia Deguire de la Force de Montréal a fait face à 19 tirs, réalisant 16 arrêts.

    Le score de la boîte

    Prochain jeu:

    Ces deux équipes rejoueront demain à 12h.

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