Seven teams compete in six games as playoff races heat up
The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) regular season schedule intensifies with just three weekends of games remaining before the 2023 Isobel Cup Playoffs. All seven teams are in action beginning with a Friday night matchup between the first place Boston Pride and the sixth place Metropolitan Riveters. There’s also a pair of doubleheaders featuring the second place Toronto Six visiting the third place Minnesota Whitecaps, while the fifth place Montreal Force host the seventh place Buffalo Beauts. The Riveters also visit the fourth place Connecticut Whale to wrap up the weekend.
Here’s a closer look at the action:
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2023
7:00 PM ET – Boston Pride (16-2-1) vs Metropolitan Riveters (6-12-0)
(ESPN+ & TSN+ with Josh Eastern and Alexis Pearson)
The Metropolitan Riveters return to action for the first time in three weeks with rested legs that will surely be tested as they face their toughest opponent in the first place Boston Pride. The Riveters last game was played Feb. 4 in Boston where they suffered a 5-0 loss and have dropped all three decisions against their Founding Four rivals so far this season while managing just one goal and surrendering 11. Two of Corinne Schroeder’s record seven shutouts have come at the Riveters expense, giving up only a third period power play goal to Kennedy Ganser in the 4-1 final at American Dream back on Jan. 7. The Riveters had won two-straight heading into Boston earlier this month and will need to pick up some points to keep their playoff hopes from fading. The Pride’s current four-game winning-streak started with their victory over the Riveters, and a fifth in a row would ensure a hold on the league’s top rank with Toronto just four points behind and the extra game this weekend. Boston holds a significant special teams advantage in this matchup with the third best power play unit and number one penalty kill, while the Riveters place seventh in both categories.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2023
7:00 PM ET – Toronto Six (14-4-2) vs Minnesota Whitecaps (10-6-2)
(ESPN+ & TSN+ with Joe Malfa and Erica Ayala)
It will be a playoff type atmosphere at Richfield Ice Arena when the Toronto Six visit the Minnesota Whitecaps as the second and third ranked seeds separated by 10 points in the standings. In fact, schedules for both teams are top heavy down the stretch with T6 having just split against fourth place Connecticut and finish their season in two weeks against first place Boston, while the Whitecaps visit the Pride next weekend then wrap up their season against the Whale. Toronto won the first two games of this season’s head-to-head way back on opening weekend with a pair of 3-2 decisions including the first in overtime powered by a pair of goals from Brittany Howard in her PHF debut. Natalie Snodgrass and Sidney Morin scored both Whitecaps goals in their PHF debuts and have continued their strong seasons to date. Snodgrass is the league’s third highest scoring collegiate graduate and Morin is the league’s second highest scoring defender, one point back of Toronto’s Kati Tabin. This series marks just the second time Toronto has travelled to Minnesota following 4-0 and 2-1 wins the weekend of Dec. 18-19, 2021. On special teams, the Whitecaps hold the second best power play and second worst penalty kill, while T6 ranks fifth in both situations.
7:30 PM ET – Buffalo Beauts (4-12-2) vs Montreal Force (7-12-1)
(ESPN+ & TSN+ with Steve Goldstein and Alexis Pearson, TVASports.ca)
It’s the final home weekend of the season for the expansion Montreal Force who hope the energy from their fans can help inspire a victory to keep playoff hopes alive. They’ve lost three-straight and currently trail Connecticut by 10 points with just four games remaining and face a suddenly streaking Buffalo squad who just earned their first road series sweep in franchise history over Minnesota and have three wins in their last six games. The Beauts also have a win under their belt against the Force back on opening weekend when the teams played to a pair of one-goal decisions. Montreal won their PHF debut over Buffalo 5-4 in a shootout on Nov. 5 with Samantha Isbell clinching the outcome in the eighth round, then Buffalo emerged victorious by a 3-2 score on Nov. 6 with a third period game-winner by Autumn MacDougall who is now a member of the Force and faces her former teammates for the first time since her January release. Last weekend Buffalo produced four goals at even strength which was their highest series output since the seven they scored in two games against Montreal. The Beauts power play is ranked fourth overall compared to the Force who rank sixth, while Montreal’s penalty kill currently places second over Buffalo at third.
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2023
1:00 PM ET – Buffalo Beauts vs Montreal Force
(ESPN+ & TSN+ with Joe Malfa and Alexis Pearson, TVA Sports)
1:00 PM ET – Toronto Six vs Minnesota Whitecaps
(ESPN+ & TSN+ with Josh Eastern and Erica Ayala)
3:00 PM ET – Metropolitan Riveters vs Connecticut Whale (9-8-2)
(ESPN+ & TSN+ with Steve Goldstein and Maura Sheridan)
Connecticut plays just once this weekend and it’s their final home game of the season against the Riveters who make the short trip for their final road game of the season after hosting Boston on Friday. The Whale have won six games at home this season, while the Riveters have won four times on the road. One of the Riveters road wins came in Connecticut on Dec. 17 in a 5-2 victory the last time the teams met at ISCC. The Riveters hold a 2-1 season series lead over the Whale with recent meetings including a 6-0 Whale win on Jan. 8 and a 2-1 shootout triumph for the Riveters on Feb. 3. That game in particular featured All-Star talent fresh off the showcase weekend in Toronto with Fanni Gasparics scoring in regulation and Minttu Tuominen tallying the shootout winner. Taylor Girard scored one of her league-leading four power play goals, and Kennedy Marchment provided an assist that’s helped contribute to her 13-game point-streak. Girard’s power play prowess has helped lift Connecticut into first in overall efficiency with the advantage where they’ve scored 14 times as unit. Their penalty kill dipped last weekend during their series split with T6, however the Whale do lead the PHF with seven shorthanded goals.
PLAYOFF TRACKER
The Boston Pride have already clinched a playoff berth and need nine points over their final five games to reach 55 points which would secure first place in the regular season standings. The Toronto Six have also clinched a playoff berth and with four games remaining can produce a maximum of 54 points. Two wins over Minnesota this weekend would secure T6 a top two finish. The Whitecaps need just one win in their final six games or one loss by both the Riveters and Beauts to clinch a playoff spot. Connecticut can also clinch a playoff spot this weekend with a regulation win over the Riveters to bring their point total to 32, and with five games remaining can still finish as high as second place pending other results. All three lower seeds still have playoff potential and can surpass the Whale’s 29 points with the right combination of outcomes. Montreal needs to win its final four games to reach as high as 31 points, six wins for the Riveters over their final six games would give them 34 points, while six wins in six games for Buffalo maxes them out at 32 points.
BLACK ROSIE RETURNS TO RIVETERS
The Riveters will celebrate Black History Month during Friday night’s game inside The Rink at American Dream with the return of their popular ‘Black Rosie’ jerseys. Designed by Jordan Dabney, the red, black, green, and white jerseys received widespread praise and attention online and across the hockey community ahead of its Feb. 26, 2022 debut. They feature the iconic arm-flexing logo of Rosie the Riveter depicted as Black to honor the many ‘Black Rosies’ who entered the American workforce during World War II. The initiative is the Riveters latest to help grow the game and follows a recent event at Wollman Rink in Central Park hosting a skills clinic for youth in the Ice Hockey in Harlem program, profiled by PIX11 News.
FORCE FINISH SEASON IN BOISBRIAND
The Force have partnered with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for their final home weekend of their expansion 2022-23 season. Both games against Buffalo will be played at the Centre d’Excellence Sports Rousseau with capacity for 3,100 fans to attend in the off-island suburb of Montreal. The Armada host the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. ET, with all ticketholders gaining free access to stay and watch the Force and Beauts battle at 7:30 p.m. ET with special entertainment lined up in between.
WHALE AND WHITECAPS CELEBRATE PRIDE
Sunday afternoon will feature a pair of Pride celebrations across the PHF. In Connecticut, the Whale are partnering with the New Haven Pride Center and will don specialty jerseys to commemorate the event. They will also have t-shirts designed by LGBTQ+ artist Adelie Lapin available for purchase, with all proceeds going towards initiatives dedicated to providing support for members of the LGBTQ+ community. The Whitecaps will also wear special Pride jerseys when they take on T6 and look forward to welcoming the Minnesota chapter of Team Trans Ice Hockey, the Twin Cities Queer Hockey Association, the Minnesota Vixen, and members of the Minnesota Lynx President’s Circle.
FINAL HOME GAME FOR TURNER
The Whale will also be celebrating and commemorating the career of captain Shannon Turner ahead of her final home game on Sunday. The defender is one of the league’s original members and has spent the entirety of her eight-year career in Connecticut where she holds franchise records for most games played, assists, and penalty minutes. Her 127 games currently rank third among all-time PHF skaters and is one of only five players with experience in all eight seasons since the league’s 2015-16 inception. For more on Turner and how she’s helped pave the way for future generations, here’s a great feature by NBC Connecticut.
FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF 2018 USA GOLD
Wednesday was a special anniversary for several members of the PHF marking five years since the U.S. National Women’s Hockey Team won gold on Feb. 22, 2018, at the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang with a 3-2 shootout victory over Canada. Boston’s Kali Flanagan and Minnesota’s Sidney Morin were both defenders on the team, with Amanda Pelkey of the Riveters suiting up at forward. PHF Scout and Player Relations Liaison Kacey Bellamy was an alternate captain along with PHF Team and Player Development Advisor Brianna Decker. Pride head coach Paul Mara was an assistant coach with Team USA, while the league’s Lead Operations Developer Marissa Halligan served as hockey operations manager, and Commissioner Reagan Carey was the program’s general manager.
GIGUERE HELPS CANADA WIN RIVALRY SERIES
Pride forward Élizabeth Giguère helped Canada’s National Women’s Team complete the reverse sweep to claim the 2022-23 Rivalry Series crown. After losing the first three games of the series, Canada won four-straight including the final two matchups played this past week in Quebec. Giguère competed in all seven games of the series and enjoyed Monday’s 5-1 win in Trois-Rivières and Wednesday’s 5-0 win in Laval before family and friends in her home province. Boston’s Kali Flanagan and Becca Gilmore represented Team USA for the second time this season, while Minnesota’s Sydney Brodt, Liz Schepers, and Natalie Snodgrass all competed in their first games of the series with the latter two making their senior national team debuts.
BABSTOCK RECEIVES NAIAHF HONORS
Riveters forward Kelly Babstock has been named to the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2023 inductees. The member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory is playing in her seventh PHF season and ranks fourth in all-time points with 92 and earlier this season became just the sixth skater to play 100 career games. The NAIAHF honors and recognizes the indigenous sport culture with outstanding leadership and achievement in individual and team athletics. The organization strives to celebrate the empowered journey of all inductees so that their stories may inspire future generations to follow their dreams in athletics and life.
TINKER HIGHLIGHTED IN CANADIAN SCREEN AWARD NOMINATIONS
The TSN Originals team recently secured four Canadian Screen Award nominations in the ‘Best Sports Feature Segment’ category including their piece titled ‘Naked’ that spotlighted Toronto Six defender Saroya Tinker and her mental health journey. Winners will be announced on April 16. Tinker and her launch of the Canadian chapter of Black Girl Hockey Club were recently featured in this piece by The Canadian Press.
BEAUTS AND RIVETERS ROSTER MOVES
This week Buffalo announced the contract release of forward Michaela Boyle at the request of the player. The Boston College graduate appeared in 16 games this season for the Beauts. The Riveters have also activated goaltender Rachel McQuigge from longterm injury reserve. The 24-year-old from Bowmanville, Ontario last appeared between-the-pipes Nov. 26 and has made four career starts with one win and a .891 save percentage in her first pro season after graduating from Princeton University.
CREASE CUTS
If Rachel McQuigge gets the call for the Riveters against Boston it will be her second time facing the Pride counting opening weekend when she made a career-high 45 saves in the 2-0 loss. The Pride’s Corinne Schroeder continues to lead all PHF goaltenders with 19 starts, 16 wins, seven shutouts, a goals-against-average of 1.57 and save percentage of .958. Expect Toronto’s Elaine Chuli to guard the net when T6 takes on Minnesota. Her 17 starts and 11 wins rank second behind Schroeder, and her 2.74 GAA and .914 SV% are fifth among starters. Jenna Brenneman played both games for the Whitecaps last weekend and carries a 2.05 GAA and .913 SV% in three starts. Tricia Deguire has made six-straight starts for Montreal and has boosted her totals to four wins with a 2.66 GAA and .917 SV%. She’s likely to face Buffalo’s Samantha Ridgewell who posted her first career win and shutout last Sunday in Minnesota. Lovisa Berndtsson also picked up her second win of the season. Connecticut’s Abbie Ives (2.95/.893) and Meeri Räisänen (3.03/.885) both saw action last week against Toronto with Räisänen earning the win. Katie Burt made 33 saves in a 2-1 shootout win the last time the Riveters faced the Whale.
SNATS SNAPSHOT
Boston’s Loren Gabel leads the PHF with 34 points, 18 goals, and 16 assists. Other team scoring leaders include Connecticut’s Kennedy Marchment with 28 points, Toronto’s Brittany Howard with 24 points, Montreal’s Jade Downie-Landry with 19 points, Minnesota’s Jonna Albers with 18 points, the Riveters’ Kelly Babstock with 17 points, and Buffalo’s Mikyla Grant-Mentis with 15 points. Marchment and Boston’s Jillian Dempsey share the lead with four game-winning goals, Connecticut’s Taylor Girard has four shorthanded goals, and both Dempsey and Girard are tied for the league lead with four power play goals. Team shots on goal leaders include Gabel (109), Marchment (90), Minnesota’s Sidney Morin (81), Montreal’s Ann-Sophie Bettez and Downie-Landry (77), Toronto’s Shiann Darkangelo (75), the Riveters’ Sarah Bujold (74), and Grant-Mentis (53). Faceoff leaders by percentage with over 50 wins are Minnesota’s Sydney Brodt (.624), Darkangelo (.610), Babstock (.594), Montreal’s Catherine Dubois (.593), Connecticut’s Emma Vlasic (.567), Dempsey (.509), and Buffalo’s Cassidy MacPherson (.464).
CAREY KEYNOTES AT SINC2023
Commissioner Reagan Carey was in Washington, DC on Friday providing a keynote address as part of the Sports Industry Networking and Career Conference held at The George Washington University campus. SINC2023 is the premier sports industry conference where college students and career changers come together with sport industry professionals to learn more about the industry and network with leaders across a variety of different areas.
COLLEGIATE PLAYOFFS UNDERWAY
The road to capture collegiate hockey supremacy heats up with conference playoffs in full swing. Over the next week the top teams from the CHA, ECAC, WCHA, NEWHA, and Hockey East will be crowned ahead of the NCAA quarterfinals scheduled for March 9-12 and the NCAA Frozen Four March 17 & 19 in Duluth, MN. North of the border, the top teams from Canada West, OUA West, OUA East, RSEQ, and AUS are battling for a berth in the U SPORTS National Championship March 16-19 in Montreal, Quebec.
Fans in the United States can enjoy live PHF action all season long exclusively on ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). In Canada, live coverage of the PHF is available to TSN subscribers through the network’s five television feeds as well as live streaming via TSN+ available on TSN.ca and the TSN app. PHF games that are part of the ESPN International distribution network may be available in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa via ESPN Player, in Latin America via Star+, the Caribbean through ESPN Player via the ESPN App, and Oceania through Watch ESPN via the ESPN App. All Montreal Force games are available in French exclusively on TVA Sports.
Cover photo by Manny Fernandes @mdphotoandink
