The PWHL is Officially Back

The PWHL is back tonight following the Olympic break with the New York Sirens taking on the Montreal Victoire. 

Before the break the New York Sirens fell into a bit of a slump with back-to-back losses, the break was a great opportunity for the group to come together and set up for success the rest of the season. The Sirens are currently in a playoff position sitting in fourth and are chasing their first playoff run, in order to hold on they’re going to need to find their footing quick and continue pushing, with the standings so close. 

Well on the other side the Montreal Victoire entered the break on a three-game win streak. With a lot of Olympians returning the Victoire are going to need to come together quickly and brush off the Olympic tournament. Star forward Marie-Philip Poulin sustained a knee injury in the preliminary round of the Olympic tournament, she returned to the lineup in the quarterfinals but was visibly in pain on the bench, no update has been provided on her status as of yet, but is expected to come before the game tonight. The Victoire are currently in third place and are chasing their third straight playoff run. 

In their matchups earlier in the season the New York Sirens are 2-1 with their loss coming at Place Bell, in Laval. With home ice advantage the Sirens are hoping to hit the ground running. So far this season it’s been Kristýna Kaltounková leading the Sirens offence, leading the league with 11 goals. Well for the Victoire it’s been Marie-Philip Poulin, with 7 goals and 7 assists tallying 14 points. 

Players to Watch 

For the New York Sirens the player to watch is forward Anne Cherkowski who has been playing big minutes for the Sirens. Cherkowski has continued to do all the little things right on both ends of the ice, well her efforts haven’t been reflected on the score sheet she has continued to make an impact. In the Sirens last two games before the break Cherkowski found her first and second in the league. If she continues to play the way she has been, the scoresheet is sure to follow. 

For the Montreal Victoire the player to watch is defender Maggie Flaherty who has flown under the radar throughout her PWHL career. Flaherty won back-to-back championships with Minnesota before signing with the Victoire as a free agent in the off-season. Since joining the Victoire her impact has continued to grow just one-point shy of her career high of 6. Known for her presence in front of the net and physical play Flaherty continues to leave an impact.

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