PWHL Triple Header Preview

Rebecca Labaj

The PWHL is back in action tonight, with lots of new and returning faces across the league so here’s a recap of everything that's happened and a preview of what's to come in tonight's triple header.

Minnesota Frost at New York Sirens 

Kicking off the triple header the Minnesota Frost visit the New York Sirens. The Frost and Sirens had the lone trade on deadline day with forward Denisa Křížová being traded from Minnesota to New York in return for defender Jincy Roese. 

So far this season the Frost are 3-0 against the Sirens, but with lots of movement in the roster, they’re facing a different team. The New York Sirens remain without Taylor Girard and Kristýna Kaltounková, who have been the team's leading scorers this season. In corresponding moves the Sirens picked up Clair DeGeorge who was released from the Sceptres earlier this month, also activating Nicole Vallario from the Reserve. 

With the additional space on the Reserve the Sirens signed Sarah Jujold from the SDHL and Kira Juodikis from the SWHL as the European seasons wrapped up. 

The Frost have also seen some movement of their own most notably the return of Kendall Coyne-Schofield who played her first game since the Olympics on Sunday where she found an assist on both Frost goals. In a corresponding move Kaitlyn O’Donohoe was moved back to the Reserve, where she joined the Frost’s latest addition in Samantha Cogan from SDHL. 

While for the Frost Natalie Buchbinders injury still remains a question, the defender is listed day-to-day after an awkward hit into the boards against Montreal, but the trade for a defender may mean something more serious. 

The last time the teams met was at the Denver Takeover Tour where the Frost got off to a strong start holding a 4-0 lead heading into the third period. But the Sirens fought back with three of their own in the final frame falling just short of a comeback. Both sides are hungry as they look to get back in the win column. 

Vancouver Goldeneyes at Montreal Victoire 

Kicking off at the same time is the Vancouver Goldeneyes visiting the Montreal Victoire. So far this season the Victoire are 2-0 against the Goldeneyes.

This time around the Victoire are without Captain Marie-Philip Poulin who was added to the LTIR due to a lower-body injury. Following the move the Victoire signed 2024-25 SDHL Defender of the year, Nadia Mattivi, who was the Captain of the Italian national team in their historic Olympic Tournament. The team also added Samantha Isbell to the reserve after she was released by the Ottawa Charge. 

Well, the Goldeneyes have been pretty quiet since their major trade back in January that saw Brooke McQuigge, Michela Cava, and Emma Greco head to Ottawa in return for Mannon McMahon, Anna Meixner, and Anna Shokhina. At the deadline the Goldeneyes signed SDHL defender Sini Karjalainen to the Reserve, as they released Brianna Brooks. 

The last time the teams met was the Quebec City Takeover Tour where the Montreal Victoire walked away with a 1-0 win with the lone goal coming from Nicole Gosling. The Victoire are on the hunt to lock down their playoff spot with a regulation win over the Goldeneyes. Montreal can also clinch a playoff berth with an overtime or shootout win if New York goes to extra time or losses in regulation.

Tonight could also mark the return of Erin Ambrose, who has been activated from the LTIR after missing 8 games after suffering a lower-body injury during the Olympics. In a corresponding move, Maya Labad has been reassigned to the Reserve.

Toronto Scepters at Ottawa Charge (Calgary Takeover Tour)

The night wraps up in Calgary as the Toronto Sceptres take on the Ottawa Charge. So far this season the teams are tied at one a piece, but have only played each other at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto. The teams are currently battling it out for a playoff position, and things are bound to get spicy as the teams play each other 3 times in the last stretch of the season. 

Ahead of the deadline the Sceptres activated Kristen Della Rovere, from the Reserve following an incredible Olympic performance with France. In a corresponding move the Sceptres released Clair DeGeorge who was picked up by the New York Sirens. Toronto also picked up Anneke Rankila who was their 2024 draft pick that was cut from team before signing with the SDHL.

While for the Charge they activated Vita Poniatovskaia from the Reserve as Brooke Hobson was added to the LTIR. The Charge also released Samantha Isbell who was picked up by the Montreal Victoire leaving room for Ottawa to sign Alexie Guay to the Reserve. 

The last time the teams met was late December where the Ottawa Charge found a 4-3 win in overtime with the win coming from Rebecca Leslie. The Sceptres are looking to get back into the win column after a tough weekend at home, while the Ottawa Charge look to extend their 2 game win streak.