For the first time since the beginning of the season, there is a Connecticut Whale gameday. The last time the Whale played was all the way back on November 5th against the Boston Pride, in which they lost that game 4-0. The next set of games the Whale were supposed to skate was on November 19th and 20th against the Buffalo Beauts. Unfortunately, those games were postponed due to the heavy snow that Buffalo received at the time.
The last games the Montreal Force played was against the Metropolitan Riveters on November 26th and 27th. In which they split that series, winning the first game 5-3 and coming up short in the second game, 3-2. Here is how the two teams would line up:
In the first period, it would be the visiting Connecticut Whale who would strike first in the game. The goal coming from second year player Janka Hlinka, her first goal of the season. She skated up the right side of the ice and launched a shot from the right circle that would beat the goaltender and wind up in the back of the net. The lone assist would come from Tori Sullivan, her first point of the season.
Before the end of the first period, the Whale would then double their lead. The goal would come while the team was shorthanded. An all too familiar connection last season would get their first set of points on the year. The goal coming from last year’s rookie of the year Taylor Girard with the assist coming from last season’s MVP Kennedy Marchment. The Whale would take a 2-0 lead heading into the second period.
Taylor Girard with the shorty to double our lead in the first!
Early in the second period, the Force would begin their comeback attempt, by cutting the lead in half. The goal coming from Kristina Shanahan, her second goal of the season. The lone assist on the play coming from Taylor Baker.
Before the end of the second period, the Force would tie up the game. While on the power play, a thunder clap bomb from Christine Deaudelin from the blue line would see the puck evade all the bodies in front, including the goalkeeper and into the top corner of the net.
Deaudelin's blast on the power play has this game tied up going into the 3rd period! pic.twitter.com/RSrpXGoftt
Early in the third period, the Connecticut Whale would jump out to the lead again. The goal coming from Kennedy Marchment, her second point of the game. Girard swung around the left circle and took a low shot in front of the net. Through all the chaos, the puck found the tape of Marchment, who slid it home, through the five hole.
Before the end of the game, the Force would once again tie up the game. While the Whale were hemmed in their defensive zone, a pass from Brigitte Laganiere across the blue line would find the stick of Catherine Daoust, who one timed it past everyone and into the open net. It was her first goal of the season, and a big one to have the game tied at the end of regulation.
There was no scoring in overtime session, so the game moved to a shootout. Where the lone goal came in the third round for Montreal, scored by Ann-Sophie Bettez.
Un film. Câest un film!
Ann-Sophie Bettez avec le but de la victoire en tir de barrage.
Welcome to the TXHT PHF Weekend Recap for the Weekend of Saturday, November 26th and Sunday, November 27th, 2022, plus news coming out of the weekend.
Save 10% off orders of $20 or More On Your First Purchase with Promo Code DSCBRICC10!
Saturday, November 26th, 2022
Game #1 â Metropolitan Riveters v. Montreal Force
In Montreal the Force would play their first home game in franchise history as they would host the Metropolitan riveters, and in the first period the Rivs would strike first as Fanni Garat-Gasparics would score to give the Rivs the 1-0 lead, but Brooke Stacey would score to tie the game at one for the Force. In the second period Jade Downie-Landry would score for the Force to take the lead, but Sarah Bujold would score to tie the game at two for the Rivs. Then in the third period Kennedy Ganser would score for the Rivs, but a pair of goals from Downie-Landry to complete the hat trick, and a tally from Ann-Sophie Bettez would give the Force the 5-3 victory over the Riveters.
In Boston the Pride would look to continue their hot streak to start the season as they host the Toronto Six, and after a scoreless first period Kaleigh Fratkin would score to give the Pride the 1-0 lead. Then in the third period Becca Gilmore would score for the Pride, but goals from Brooke Boquist and Shiann Darkangelo would tie the game at two for the Six to force overtime. In the extra frame McKenna Brand would score to give the Pride the 3-2 victory over the Six.
Back in Montreal the Force would complete their weekend series with the Metropolitan Riveters, and in the first period both teams would record a goal as Brooke Stacey would score for the Force while Fanni Garat-Gasparics would score for the Rivs for the 1-1 tie. Then after a scoreless second period Madison Packer would score to give the Rivs the lead, but Christine Deaudelin would score to tie the game at two for the Force. However, in the final minute of regulation Kelly Babstock would score to give the Riveters the 3-2 victory over the Force.
In Boston the Pride and Toronto Six would continue their rivalry, and in the first period Michela Cava, Brittany Howard, and Dominka Laskova would score for the Six to take the 3-0 lead, but Loren Gabel would score to get the Pride on the board. In the second period Christina Putigna and Allie Thunstrom would score to tie the game at three for the Pride, but Howard’s second of the game would give the Six the 4-3 lead. Then in the third period Leah Lum would score to grow the Six’s lead to two and then Cava would net her second of the game while Lexi Templeman would score to give the Six the 7-3 victory over the Pride. The loss would be the first of the season for the Pride.
Jade Downie-Landry would record five points on Saturday for the Montreal Force. In their 5-3 victory over the Metropolitan Riveters Downie-Landry would record three goals and two assists. Her goals would be a powerplay, even strength, and an empty netter.
Second Star – Ann-Sophie Bettez (MON)
In the Force’s 5-3 victory on Saturday, Ann-Sophie Bettez would be the one to score the other two goals for the Force, and she would also record an assist on Downie-Landry’s powerplay tally. Bettez goals would be a powerplay tally and an even strength goal.
Third Star – Fanni Gasparics (MET)
In two games played for the Riveters, Fanni Gasparics would record two goals. On Saturday she would net the first goal ever scored by a player from Hungary, and do so while on the powerplay. Then on Sunday her shorthanded tally would help aid the Riveters to a 3-2 victory over the Force.
* All Graphics Courtesy of the PHF.
Save 10% Off Your First Subscription Purchase of $18 or More with Promo Code DSCSQUATCH10! First Time Purchase Only
TXHT may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through Cool Hockey and Dr. Squatch ads/links in this article.
Welcome to the TXHT PHF Weekend Recap for the Weekend of Friday, November 18th through Sunday, November 20th, 2022, plus news coming out of the weekend.
Save 10% Off Your First Subscription Purchase of $18 or More with Promo Code DSCSQUATCH10! First Time Purchase Only
Friday, November 18th, 2022
Game #1 – Boston Pride v. Minnesota Whitecaps – 8p ET
In Minnesota the Whitecaps would play host to the Boston Pride, and after a scoreless first period Jenna Rheault would score to give the Pride to take the 1-0 lead. Then in the third period Christina Putigna would score to gived the Pride the 2-0 victory over the Whitecaps. Cornine Schroeder would stop all 49 shots faced to record her third consecutive shutout to start her PHF career.
Stonewall Schroeder just doing her thing. Recording her 3rd consecutive shutout!
Game #1 â Toronto Six v. Metropolitan Riveters – 1p ET
In New Jersey the Metropolitan Riveters would host the Toronto Six for their home opener, and in the first period Sarah Bujold would score for the Riveters, but Kati Tabin would score for the Six to tie the game at one. In the second period Brittany Howard would score for the Six, but goals from Kelly Babstock, Bujold, and Madison Packer would give the Rivs the 4-2 lead. Then in the third period Emma Woods would score for the Six, but both Babstock and Packer would net their second goals of the game to give the Riveters the 6-3 victory over the Six.
Game #2 â Buffalo Beauts v. Connecticut Whale – Postponed
Postponed due to inclement weather.
Game #3 – Boston Pride v. Minnesota Whitecaps – 7p ET
Back in Minnesota the Whitecaps would take on the Boston Pride for the second game of their back to back, and in the first period Sammy Davis would score for the Pride, but goals from Sydney Brodt and Anna Klein would give the Whitecaps the 2-1 lead. In the second period Brodt would net her second of the game for the Whitecaps, but goals from Jillian Dempsey, Taylor Wenczkowski, and Kali Flanagan would give the Pride the 4-3 lead. Then in the third period Jonna Albers would score to tie the game for the Whitecaps, but in overtime it would be Sammy Davis with the winner as the Pride would defeat the Whitecaps 5-4.
Game #1 – Buffalo Beauts v. Connecticut Whale – Postponed
Postponed due to inclement weather.
Game #2 – Toronto Six v. Metropolitan Riveters
Back in New Jersey to close out the weekend the Toronto Six would look to bounce back against the Metropolitan Riveters, and in the first period Leah Lum would pen the scoring for the Six, but Sarah Bujold would score to tie the game at one for the Rivs. In the second period Tereza Vanisova would score the Six, but Bujold would net her second of the game to tie the game back up at two for the Rivs. Then in the third period Lum would net her second of the game and Brittany Howard and Emma Woods would score to give the Six the 5-2 victory over the Riveters.
The PHF has announced that the regular season games scheduled for Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20 between the Buffalo Beauts and the host Connecticut Whale have been postponed due to inclement weather conditions affecting travel.
Sarah Bujold would lead the PHF with five points (4g, 1a) for the weekend. Bujold would open the weekend with two goals and an assist in the Metropolitan Riveters 6-3 victory over the Toronto Six on Saturday. Then on Sunday she would record two more goals in the Rivs 5-2 loss to the Six. Both games would feature Bujold recording both a powerplay goal and a shorthanded goal.
Second Star – Corinne Schroeder (BOS)
For the second week in a row Corinne Schroeder would be named as a Star of the Week as she would record another shutout and go 2-0-0 for the weekend overall for the Boston Pride. To open up the weekend Schroeder would record her third consecutive shutout as the Pride would shutout the Minnesota Whitecaps 2-0 with a 49 save performance on Friday night. Then on Saturday she would record 29 saves in a 5-4 overtime victory over the Whitecaps. Schroeder would open the season with a shutout streak that lasted 183:15.
Third Star – Leah Lum (TOR)
Leah Lum would record two goals and two assists for four points for the Toronto Six this past weekend. On Saturday she would record an assist in the Six’s loss to Metropolitan, but she would help turn things around for the Six as she would record two goals and an assist to help them defeat the Riveters 5-2.
* All Graphics Courtesy of the PHF.
 Save 10% off orders of $20 or More On Your First Purchase with Promo Code DSCBRICC10!
TXHT may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through Cool Hockey and Dr. Squatch ads/links in this article.
Welcome to the TXHT PHF Weekend Recap for the Weekend of Saturday, November 5th and Sunday, November 6th, 2022, plus news coming out of the weekend.
Saturday, November 5th, 2022
Game #1 â Minnesota Whitecaps v. Toronto Six – 2p ET
To kick start the 2022-23 PHF season we’d go to Toronto as the Six would play host to the Minnesota Whitecaps, and in the first period Brittany Howard would open the scoring for the Six to take the 1-0 lead. In the second period the Whitecaps would get goals from Sidney Morin and Natalie Snodgrass to take the 2-1 lead. then in the third period Shiann Darkangelo would score to tie the game at two to force overtime which would see Howard net her second of the game to give the Six the 3-2 victory over the Whitecaps.
Game #2 â Montreal Force v. Buffalo Sabres – 7p ET
In Buffalo the Montreal Force would make their PHF debut against the Beauts, and in the first period the Beauts would get goals from Antonia Matzka and Whitney Dove while the Force would get goals from Ann-Sophie Bettez and Jade Downie-Landry for a 2-2 tie. In the second period Anjelica Diffendal would score to give the Beauts the 3-2 lead. Then in the third period Sarah Lefort and Kim Deschenes would score to give the Force the 4-3 lead, but Claudia Kepler would send the game to overtime for the Beauts. After a scoreless overtime period it would be Samantha Isbell with the shootout winner to give the Force the 5-4 victory over the Beauts.
The Montreal Force pick up franchise win #1 in game #1 đâïž
Game #3 – Connecticut Whale v. Boston Bruins – 7p ET
In a rematch of the 2022 Isobel Cup Final the Boston Pride would play host to the Connecticut Whale, and after a scoreless first period Elizabeth Giguere would score to give the Pride the 1-0 lead. Then in the third period Loren Gabel would net a pair of goals and Allie Thunstrom would net her first as a member of the Pride to give Boston the 4-0 victory over the Whale.
Game #1 – Minnesota Whitecaps v. Toronto Six – 11a ET
Back in Toronto for round two of their matchup with the Minnesota Whitecaps for opening weekend the Six would look to continue their strong start, and in the first period Leah Lum and Brittany Howard would score to give the Six the 2-0 lead, but Liz Schepers would score for the Whitecaps to get them back within one. Then in the second period Ashleigh Brykaliuk would tie the game at two for the Whitecaps, but Saroya Tinker would score to give the Six the 3-2 victory over the Whitecaps to go 2-0 to start the season.
Game #2 – Montreal Force v. Buffalo Sabres – 1p ET
Back in Buffalo the Beauts would look to bounce back against the Montreal Force, and in the first period both Whitney Dove and Allison Attea would score to give the Beauts the 2-0 lead. In the second period Deziray De Sousa would score to get the Force on the board and back within one. Then in the third period Kristina Shanahan would score to tie the game at two, but Autumn MacDougall would score to give the Beauts the 3-2 victory over the Force.
Game #3 – Metropolitan Riveters v. Boston Pride – 2p ET
In Boston the Pride would take on the Metropolitan Riveters, and in the first period Jillian Dempsey would score to give the Pride the 1-0 lead. Then in the second period Elizabeth Giguere would score to give the Pride the 2-0 victory over the Riveters. Corinne Schroeder would stop all 27 shots faced to earn her second consecutive shutout to start her PHF career.
That is a wrap on opening weekend! Corinne Schroeder with another shutout! The Pride are now 2-0 on the season. pic.twitter.com/JIN6TAhTz9
Schroeder would post back to back shutouts in her PHF debut as she would backstop the Boston Pride to 4-0 (36 saves) and 2-0 (27 saves) over the Connecticut Whale and Metropolitan Riveters respectively. Schroeder would stop a total of 63 shots over the weekend to have a 0.00 goals against average and a 1.000 save percentage.
Second Star – Brittany Howard (TOR)
Howard would lead the PHF in scoring as she would record three goals and an assist for 4 points in two games played for the Toronto Six. Howard would open the weekend with two goals and an assist in a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota whitecaps, and then on Sunday in another 3-2 victory over the Whitecaps she would produce another goal. Howard would also lead the PHF with 11 shots on goal in her first two career PHF games.
Third Star – Elizabeth Giguere (BOS)
Giguere would record two goals and an assist for three points in two games for the Boston Pride as she would also make her PHF debut this past weekend. To kickstart the weekend on Saturday Giguere would record her first career PHF goal, which would also stand as the game winner, and provide an assist in the Pride’s 4-0 victory over the Whale. Then on Sunday she would record another goal in the Pride’s 2-0 victory over the Riveters.
* All Graphics Courtesy of the PHF.
Save 10% off orders of $20 or More On Your First Purchase with Promo Code DSCBRICC10!
TXHT may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through Cool Hockey and Dr. Squatch ads/links in this article.
The second ever game for the Montreal Force took place today. In their first game, they went toe to toe with the Buffalo Beauts, beating them in a shootout to earn their first franchise victory. Montreal, looking to try and make it two for two on the weekend, here is how the teams would line up.
 Save 10% off orders of $20 or More On Your First Purchase with Promo Code DSCBRICC10!
In the first period, it would be the home Buffalo Beauts, who would strike first, the goal coming from Whitney Dove, her second goal of the season. A blast from the point that would get by everyone, including the goaltender.
Before the end of the first period, the Beauts would double their lead in the game. The goal coming from Allison Attea, her first goal of the season, and her first career PHF goal. Another shot from the blue line that would elude everyone, including the goalkeeper’s glove and the puck would fly into the top corner of the net. The Beauts would take a 2-0 lead heading into the second period.
Early in the second period, the Force would get on the board and cut into the Buffalo lead. The goal coming from Deziray De Sousa, her first goal of the season. She carried the puck up the left side of the offensive zone and let go a low shot that would get through the legs of Hofmann. The Force would still be down a goal heading into the third period.
Early in the third period, Montreal would tie up the game. The goal would come from Kristina Shanahan, her first goal of the season. A shot from the point by Kaity Howarth would somehow avoid the bodies in front and the puck would find the stick of Catherine Dubois, who would make a backhand cross crease pass that would find Shanahan to deposit the puck into the net.
Four minutes later, the Beauts would once again take the lead. The goal coming from Autumn MacDougall, her first goal of the season. MacDougall would slip behind the Force’s defense and she would bust in on the breakaway. She looked like she was going to lose the puck, but at the last moment, she regained possession and was able to lift the puck and shoot it into the roof of the net.
According to the boxscore, that was the only shot taken by the Beauts in the third period, and it would prove to be the game winner, as the Beauts would hold on to defeat Montreal by a score of 3-2.
The Buffalo Beauts cap off their weekend with a big win over the Force!
Tera Hofmann would get the start for the Buffalo Beauts, and she would face 33 shots, making 31 saves. While Marie-Soleil Deschenes would start for the Montreal Force, she would face 18 shots, making 15 saves.
The next game for the Buffalo Beauts will be against the Connecticut Whale on November 19th at 6p. While the next game for the Montreal Force will be against the Metropolitan Riveters on November 26th at 2p.
The Official Jersey Retailer of TXHT
TXHT may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through Cool Hockey and Dr. Squatch ads/links in this article.
Puck drop for Season 8 of the PHF took place tonight. It sees the rematch of the Isobel Cup Finals from last season; the defending champions Boston Pride taking on last year’s runner ups, the Connecticut Whale. Here is how the two teams would line up:
There was no scoring in the first period between both teams. They seemed to be evenly matched, as the shots on goal ratio was close, a tally of 11-9 in favor of the Pride.
In the second period, Boston would draw first blood in the game. The goal would come from one of the newcomers for the Pride, Elizabeth Giguere, her first goal of the season. A bank pass from the neutral zone would find the streaking Giguere on the left side, and she would rifle the shot over Ives’ blocker. The period would end with Boston clinging to a 1-0 lead heading into the third period.
In the third period, the wheels would fall off for the Whale, as they would give up three goals. The first one would come a little over halfway in the period. The goal would come from Loren Gabel, her first of the season. A 2 on 1 play would see the shot from Giguere saved by Ives, but the rebound would find the stick of Gabel and she would deposit it in the open net.
A whole ten seconds would pass, and the Pride would add an insurance marker. Another newcomer to the team, Allie Thunstrom would net her first goal of the season. Thunstrom would use her speed to get by the Whale defenders and have a mini breakaway. She would get the shot off and it would go through the legs of Ives, and in the net.
46 seconds later, the Pride while on the power play would add their fourth goal of the game. The goal would come from Loren Gabel, her second goal of the game and season. A pass across from Flanagan would find Gabel above the right circle. She would carry the puck down to the dot and rifle a shot over Ives’ blocker and in the net. Boston would hang on to preserve the shutout and the first victory of the season.
Corinne Schroeder of the Boston Pride would record the victory and the shutout by facing 36 shots and making 36 saves. While Abbie Ives of the Connecticut Whale would face 41 shots and she would make 37 saves.
The next game for the Boston Pride will be tomorrow against the Metropolitan Riveters at 2p, while the Connecticut Whale will have to wait till November 19th to faceoff against the Buffalo Beauts at 6p/
 Save 10% off orders of $20 or More On Your First Purchase with Promo Code DSCBRICC10!
TXHT may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through Cool Hockey and Dr. Squatch ads/links in this article.
The Metropolitan Riveters have a new look with only 3 returning players and a new Head Coach Venla Hovi. On Wednesday, Hovi and Captain Madison Packer took questions from the media. Here are some highlights.
Before getting into the Riveters themselves at one point in the presser in response to a question from TXHT Packer spoke about what excited her about the league in general as the off season brought numerous new staff members to the PHF including a new commissioner. The Riveters Captain who has been in the league since its inception had glowing things to say about several developments:
âObviously the hiring of Reagan [Carey] was huge, the addition of [Brianna] Decker and [Kacey] Bellamy and a few others is a huge step in a right direction,â Packer said. âThey are going to demand a certain level of excellence. Iâll speak specifically for Reagan and Decker because Iâve worked with them and alongside them on a lot of things. They demand excellence in everything that they do and thatâs not going to change. Certainly thatâs why I think Reagan took the job because she knows it a big project and something she can make real change on. So just seeing some of the things already that have changed and some of the conversations that Iâve been a part of sheâs one of the best that there is out there and I think a perfect person that is out there. So Iâm really excited to see where she takes the league and how all the individual markets benefit under her leadership.â
Save 10% off orders of $20 or More On Your First Purchase with Promo Code DSCBRICC10!
Turning to the Riveters themselves, again the team is a nearly entirely new edition compared to last yearâs model as international players, players from the PWHPA, and players from other PHF teams all ended up on the Metropolitan roster. Alex Azzi asked a question about whether team culture survived the changes or was new:
âEvery year is a little different no matter how many people returning you have or not,â Packer began. âI think that overall though itâs a completely different environment in a lot of ways and in a lot of ways I think thatâs a good thing. I think that the biggest difference that you notice is the professionalism and the accountability that is in the room. We have a lot of players who have a great deal of experience internationally, professionally in other leagues, at the collegiate level.â
Packer defined what the players were bringing in the door that contributed to the culture but it also meshed with the cultural expectations coming from outside as well:
âAnd weâre on the ice four days a week, weâre in the gym three days a week, we have access to a lot more resources and things like this so just overall the bar has been raised from an expectations standpoint and with that the culture shifts in the room, itâs more competitive and itâs just been a really special thing to be a part of,â Packer said.
Packer had more to say about the changes including in response to two questions about what was exciting her about the upcoming season. The first by TXHT led her to single out the teamâs new bench boss, Hovi, and in doing so posited a domino effect that can follow from coaching choices in the league:
âSheâs [Hoviâs] a huge asset and resource and just elevates the bar of what our coaches should be and how their background should look,â Packer said. âWeâve learned a lot already in a short period of time focusing on…I think sometimes they get lost in translation between different levels of play and things like that, so just bolstering coaching staffs is exciting…and then as you make additions across the league in leadership positions you draw in more talented players underneath. So for me to get play with some of the players that Iâm playing with this year, you know Minttu [Tuominen], Anna [Kilponen], [Amanda] Pelkey, the list goes on of the just some of the influx of talent that we have in our market and thatâs exciting for me.â
A question from Armand Klisivitch led to a fascinating response from the Captain regarding what her role may be on the team this season as she lamented perhaps her role being too overstretched in the past and looked forward to the possibility of less being more:
âJust the ability on focus on different things,â Packer said in response to what excited her about the season. âWe have a lot of different weapons in the arsenal if you will. We have a lot of players that are good at specific things. If you look specifically at me looking back over the last couple of seasons, I had a lot of ice time and played in a lot of different situations that maybe took away from my ability to produce in others. So less is not always a bad thing. I think that I might get less ice team over the course of the season but thatâs…Iâve got a lot of good people who are going to take opportunities that were falling on me. Itâs take a lot of pressure off, it just makes it more fun and itâs a good opportunity for other players to step up and have an opportunity.â
As Packer had mentioned, the team practices four days a week, but it also practices in the morning which is a departure from other teams and previous Riveters seasons. Erica Ayala asked Coach Hovi to elaborate on how she structured those practices.
âComing into the role I had a few things I wanted to be pretty stern about that I said that if I was to come and be in this role where we need to take the team which is maybe different direction that it was before,â Hovi said. âAnd there comes a point that we have to push the game forward and make the right steps and I personally having lived and being an athlete before very much aware of the toll that it takes on your body but also the demands and the responsibility that comes along when there is more financial support for players and all that comes with as I just mentioned responsibility. We want to make everyday life for the players the best it can be and I as a coach selfishly want fresh players on the ice. I donât want them there after an eight hour work shift. Because that puts hockey being second, so I wanted to kind of shift the thinking of you know we should practice in the morning and then whoever is going to work afterwards is going to work but Iâm getting them right after a good nightâs sleep and theyâre ready to go and theyâre to focus and that way our game is getting better as well because theyâre practicing at a higher level. So I kinda drew the line of weâre practicing in the morning if that is actually was an option and then having the conversations and recruiting players. It was a straightforward conversation, âCan you make morning practices?, âOh you canât, then this isnât the team for you.â Itâs as simple as that and then they went elsewhere. And then the players we have are committed to being at practices and being there in the mornings and so far Iâve only received good feedback.âÂ
Ayala asked Packer about the system as well, and the Riveters Captain called it a âhuge advantage for usâ while echoing some advantages Hovi mentioned including a change of focus to hockey first and players being fresher during practices. Ayala also queried Packer about differences between American Dream and previous Rivs facilities and Packer noted the team had its own locker room, an office for coaches and a training and cool down space. Also in response to a question from Alex Azzi regarding the skylight above the rink, Packer explained the way the sun comes into American Dream there hasnât been a glare, and âit kinda feels like youâre playing outside. A lot of us like that feel.â
It will be interesting to see what these changes lead to in terms of performance in the regular season and beyond.
D.F. Pendrys is a trans non-binary freelance reporter and editor of Glaive Sports.
The Official Jersey Retailer of TXHT
TXHT may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through Cool Hockey and Dr. Squatch ads/links in this article.
Save 10% off orders of $20 or More On Your First Purchase with Promo Code DSCBRICC10!
Key Losses
Mikyla Grant-Mentis, F
Stephanie Sucharda, D
Maegan Beres, F
Key Additions
Carly Jackson, G
Brittany Howard, F
Tereza Vanisova, F
2022-23 Preview
3 Questions:
How deep can the Six go?
Ever since entering the league, the Six have always been a good regular season team. In their inaugural season, the finished as regular season champions. Last season, they finished in second place (by 1 point) during the regular season behind the Connecticut Whale. Heading into the playoffs, you would expect a deep run to the finals. However, the Six have been hard done in the playoffs. Losing in the semifinals, both times to the eventual champion Boston Pride. You can tell that the players are well coached and the talent is there. Will the third time be the charm, and they finally breakthrough to earn their first trip to the Isobel Cup Finals? Only time will tell, but on paper, they look primed to accomplish it.
Who will replace the scoring loss of Grant-Mentis?
Mikyla Grant_Mentis scored 30 points last season, this led the team. She also led the team in goals, with 13 of them. Now, she has signed to play for the Buffalo Beauts. Good news for the Six is, five of their double digit scorers last season are still on the roster, heading into the season. It will be interesting to see who steps up for the team. The Six have added a couple of nice pieces this offseason, Brittany Howard being one of them. The PWHPA veteran and CWHL alum has been a proven goal scorer throughout her career, and I see no reason why that won’t continue. Another key piece is Tereza Vanisova, an excellent player at the SDHL level. A player that also has PHF/NWHL experience, and international experience for the Czechia. I expect these two additions to help bridge the gap from the loss of Grant-Mentis.
How will the goalies split starts?
It’s an interesting question, considering both goalies have been starters in the league. Elaine Chuli has been THE starter for the Six. While Carly Jackson was the starter for the Buffalo Beauts. To me, the unquestioned starter for the Six has to be Chuli, and her numbers speak for themselves. She has a record of 20-2-0 with 3 shutouts, a GAA of 1.77 and a .932 save percentage (Holy moly.) Last season, Chuli started 17 games, and the only question that I would have would be are the Six going to lean on her to make that many starts again? Or will they decide that Jackson should earn some of those starts, so they can ease the burden off Chuli and give her some rest time when playoffs start? It will be very interesting to see what the head coach decides on playing time for both goalies.
