Around the PWHL

Seattle Torrent Break Through for First Win 

After a rough start to their inaugural season, the Seattle Torrent secured their first win in franchise history at home against the New York Sirens.  

The Sirens tested rookie goaltender Hannah Murphy early. Paetyn Levis was able to capitalize 3:15 into the first period to put New York on the board with assists from Jincy Roese and Lauren Bernard. 

The goaltending and defence were the stars of the night as the remainder of the first, second, and the majority of the third were scoreless. This was until the Torrent got a big break due to the game misconduct from Kristyna Kaltounkova, resulting in her being ejected from the game and New York being left to serve a major penalty. 

Seattle made the most of the extra player advantage. Alex Carpenter struck first, assisted by Hilary Knight and Hannah Bilka. Just over 20 seconds later, Captain Hilary Knight added another off assists from Hannah Bilka and Julia Gosling, to bring Seattle to their first win as a franchise in front of their home crowd.

In her first PWHL start, rookie goaltender Hannah Murphy recorded 23 saves on 24 shots. On the other side, Kayle Osbourne recorded 18 saves on 20 shots. The Torrent look to continue this momentum into their next matchup December 17th at home against the Ottawa Charge. 

Toronto Sceptres Comeback at Home 

The Toronto Sceptres got their first home win of the season, as they came back from a 1-0 deficit against the Ottawa Charge. 

The game saw the return of Charge head coach Carla McLeod after announcing her breast cancer diagnosis. The ceremonial puck drop was delivered by former Toronto goaltender Erica Howe, who received the same diagnosis last year; after dropping the puck in a McLeod jersey, she went to the Ottawa bench to embrace Carla. Toronto made sure McLeod felt the support from the PWHL community in her return to the bench. 

Ottawa rookie Fanuza Kadirova opened the scoring, 1:45 into the game, to get her first PWHL goal off assists from Samantha Isbell and Anna Shokhina. Toronto controlled the majority of the offensive play in the first period, taking 23 shots, trying to capitalize on the three power plays they were given, but Gwyneth Philips and the Charge held strong. 

Toronto’s offensive control continued into the second after a tripping penalty was called on Ottawa’s Joccelyne Larocque 34 seconds into the second period. The Sceptres were able to capitalize on the power-play courtesy of Daryl Watts, with assists coming from Allie Munroe and Anna Kjellbin, evening the score. With just over seven minutes left, Natalie Spooner gave Toronto the lead, assisted by Daryl Watts and Emma Maltais. 

From there, the defence and goaltending took over, until the Charge pulled Philips with just under 2 minutes remaining, hoping to spark something on offence to fuel a comeback. But, it would be Toronto Captain Blayre Turnbull who capitalized on the empty net opportunity off a pass from Claire Dalton to secure their win, 3-1. 

In net, Elaine Chuli recorded 16 saves on 17 shots for Toronto. While Gwyneth Philips recorded 34 saves on 36 shots for Ottawa. In the matchup, the Charge took 6 minor penalties, giving Toronto ample offensive opportunities. 

The Charge look to clean up their play and bounce back in their next game, December 16th in Vancouver, as they take on the Goldeneyes. 

Vancouver Goldeneyes Find Rhythm at Home 

After winning their home opener against the Seattle Torrent, the Vancouver Goldeneyes hit the road, where they went 0-3. Heading home, they looked to come together and find their rhythm as a team. 

The Goldeneyes struck first on home ice with a goal from Abby Boreen just 4:42 into the first period off a pass from Tereza Vanišová. Vancouver Captain Ashton Bell got her first goal as a Goldeye with just under four minutes, to double their lead with assists from Michela Cava and Sophie Jaques. 

With under three minutes remaining, Michelle Karvinen was given a two-minute minor for an illegal body check, leading to Vancouver’s first jail break goal from none other than BC native Jenn Gardiner, with assists from Claire Thompson and Gabby Rosenthal. 

The second period, New York dominated most of the offensive play, testing the Goldeneyes' defence and goaltending, but Vancouver didn’t let up, carrying a 3-0 lead into the third period.

Micah Zandee-Hart took a hooking penalty 4:38 into the third period for New York. Abby Boreen capitalized on the advantage with assists from Sophie Jaques and Jenn Gardiner, for her second of the game, leading Vancouver to their first regulation win. 

In net, Emerance Maschmeyer was a standout for Vancouver, blocking all 28 shots, for her first shutout as a Goldeneye. On the other side, Kayle Osbourne recorded 16 saves on 20 shots. 

The Goldeneyes will look to continue this momentum into their matchup December 16th at home against the Ottawa Charge. Well, the New York Sirens look to bounce back from their West Coast road trip at home on  December 17th against the Boston Fleet. 

Montreal Victoire Set the Tone

Montreal set the tone early against Toronto, giving a glimpse of what’s coming in next week’s first Takeover Tour stop.

The Montreal Victoire tested Toronto goaltender Raygan Kirk early, before Kati Tabin broke through 8:38 into the first period, putting Montreal on the board with assists from Natálie Mlýnková and Maggie Flaherty.

The Victoire continued their offensive dominance into the second period, but Kirk wasn’t letting anything in easy. Montreal got their second break 8:36 into the second with a goal from Hayley Scamurra off a pass from Skylar Irving, doubling the Victoires lead heading into the third period.

Toronto came out hard on the offence in the third period, with a series of shots. Emma Gentry was able to get past Ann-Renée Desbiens, to get the Sceptres on the board with her first PWHL goal off a pass from Renate Fast, a comeback looked possible. But with 5:08 remaining Savannah Harmon, took a 2 minute holding penalty. Laura Stacey was able to capitalize on the advantage with assists from Marie-Philip Pouling and Erin Ambrose, leading the Victoire to a 3-1 win. 

In net Ann-Renée Desbiens recorded 21 saves on 22 shots . While on the other side Raygan Kirk recorded 27 saves on 30 shots. 

The Victoire look to extend their 2-game win streak, while the Sceptres look to bounce back, December 17th as they matchup in Halifax for the first stop of the season 3 Takeover Tour. 

Boston Fleet Stay Undefeated 

The Boston Fleet remain undefeated with Aerin Frankel holding down the back end, only allowing 2 goals in their 4 games. 

Boston held their dominance on offence through the first period, pushing the Minnesota Defence and Maddie Rooney. It was Shay Maloney who broke through to give Boston a lead late in the first period. Just over a minute late, Boston Captain Megan Keller doubled their lead with assists from Alina Müeller and Haley Winn. 

Minnesota entered the second with a push on offence, where Klára Hymlárová was able to break through Frankel, for just her second goal allowed, assisted by Claire Butorac and Peyton Anderson

Less than a minute later, Dominique Petrie took a two-minute minor for tripping, giving Boston a power play. Abby Newhook capitalized on the advantage, marking her third game in a row with a goal, assisted by Megan Keller and Haley Winn (Power play goal - third game in a row with a goal). 

Early in the third, Peyton Anderson got called for holding, giving Boston another power play that Theresa Schafzahl capitalized on, to extend the Fleet’s lead, assisted by Sophie Shirley and Jamie Lee Rattray.

With 11 seconds remaining a scuffle broke out, resulting in a 10-minute game misconduct for Laura Kluge for cross-checking and a roughing call for Britta Curl-Salemme for responding to the cross-check. 

In net, Aerin Frankel recorded 26 saves on 27 shots. On the other side, Maddie Rooney recorded 31 saves on 35 shots. 

The Fleet look to continue their streak December 17th when they visit the New York Sirens. While the Frost look to bounce back December 19th when they take on the Fleet at home.