Goaltenders have taken the spotlight in the three PWHL games that have been played between last Saturday and Tuesday. In each of them, the winning team has prevailed via a shutout.
Sirens 4, Charge 0, Sat Nov 22
The New York Sirens spoiled the home opener for the Ottawa Charge, thanks to a 28-save shutout performance from Kayle Osborne and a potent third line. Taylor Girard netted a hat trick for New York; all three of her goals coming in the third period, vaulting her into the record book as the first player in league history to score three times in a period. Maddi Wheeler registered an assist on each of Girard’s tallies, setting a record for most points a PWHL debut.
Wingers Girard and Wheeler were centred by Elle Hartje, who earned two assists. Defender Maja Nyler Persson rounded out the scoring into an empty net.
A skirmish ensued in the first period when Ottawa’s Gabbie Hughes hit the Sirens’ Jamie Bourbonnais into the boards from behind. New York captain Micah Zandee-Hart retaliated with a cross check to Hughes’s head, sparking a melee. Emily Clark of the Charge engaged in the hostilities and was forcibly restrained by none other than Bourbonnais, who happens to be Clark’s girlfriend.
On Instagram, a fan commented “(Bourbonnais) helping her girl by pulling her from the fray from behind.” Bourbonnais, showing that there’s no love on the ice between opponents – not even romantic partners – replied simply “I wasn’t helping.”
Fleet 2, Victoire 0, Sun Nov 23
Boston was victorious in its home opener, the first win under new coach Kris Sparre. Aerin Frankel stopped all 25 shots directed her way and was named the game’s first star.
Susanna Tapani had a goal and an assist to lead the way offensively. Defender Megan Keller had the other Fleet goal.
Victoire 4, Sirens 0, Tue Nov 25
Abby Roque was named the game’s first star, collecting a goal and two assists to help propel Montreal to a home victory in its home opener. Roque’s third period breakaway marker was of the highlight-reel variety, bringing the puck back between her legs at the last second before flicking the puck on her forehand to beat Kayle Osborne to the far side.
It was Roque’s first game against her former team, having been dealt from the Sirens in the off-season in exchange for Kristin O’Neill.
Marie-Philip Poulin became the first player in PWHL history to reach the 50-point mark, in regular season totals. She finished with a goal and an assist. Natalie Mlynkova and Maggie Flaherty also scored for the Victoire. Ann-Renee Desbiens made 33 saves in the shutout.
Around the league
Micah Zandee-Hart earned a game misconduct in Saturday’s game for the hit to the head of Gabbie Hughes, and was subsequently fined $250…Taylor Girard’s hat trick was the 14th in PWHL history, and only the second natural hat trick, repeating the feat by Grace Zumwinkle of Minnesota (January 6, 2024)…Hughes, along with teammate Ronja Savolainen, each signed one-year contract extensions with Ottawa, the team announced Tuesday.
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