Vancouver Goldeneyes Make History in OT Thriller

After a long summer of built up anticipation the PWHL’s newest rivalry delivered what fans were looking forward to on an opening night full of firsts. 

It was announced the Vancouver Goldeneyes would be the first PWHL team to be a primary tenant in their arena. And there it was … the Goldeneye at center ice for all to see as history was made in the OT thriller as the Vancouver Goldeneyes and Seattle Torrent debuted in front of a sold out crowd at the Pacific Coliseum. 

The pre-game anticipation continued to build with a message from Billie Jean King. Then it was time to announce the Vancouver Goldeneyes inaugural team including five players from BC: Katie Chan, Jenn Gardiner, Hannah Miller, Nina Jobst-Smith and Kimberly Newell. 

The ceremonial puck drop was delivered by none other than BC native and Canadian soccer legend, Christine Sinclair. 

With excitement in the air and energy levels running high it was finally time to drop the puck on their inaugural team. 

With just over five minutes remaining in the first, Julia Gosling opened the scoring, making history with the first expansion team goal in the regular season, for the Seattle Torrent, with Anna Wilgren and Alex Carpenter assisting. 

Just three minutes later Sarah Nurse gained possession in the neutral zone, skating into the offensive zone it looked like she was going to pass it, before burying the five-hole shot for the Vancouver Goldeneyes first regular season goal. 

With under a minute left in the first period, Gosling struck again off a pass from captain Hilary Knight, giving the Torrent a 2-1 lead at the end of the first. With a scoreless second period the Torrent remained in the lead entering the third. 

The Goldeneyes came out hungry in the third with the energy of the home crowd behind them. Just under a minute into the period Gabby Rosenthal found the back of the net, tying the game off assists from Abby Borren and Claire Thompson. 

With just under seven minutes remaining in the third period Hannah Bilka took back the Torrents lead assisted by Danielle Serdachny and Emily Brown. 

Time continued to wind down as the Goldeneyes looked to make a comeback. With under three minutes remaining Claire Thompson tied the game, with assists from Brooke McQuigge and hometown girl Jenn Gardiner. The energy from the crowd ramped up, as the game headed for overtime. 

Overtime wouldn’t last long with Abby Boreen sinking the game winning goal just one minute and thirty six seconds in, off a pass from Tereza Vanišová, getting the first expansion team win for the Goldeneyes.