The third weekend of the Premier Hockey Federation regular season opened Saturday with a pair of marquee matchups. Here’s a closer look at the highlights:
Metropolitan Riveters 3, Montreal Force 5
The first home game in Force history and the official debut of the PHF in the province of Quebec was one to remember. Over 3,000 fans at Centre 21.02 not only enjoyed a victory, but watched Jade Downie-Landry deliver the top individual performance of the season with five points including the first hat-trick of the 2022-23 campaign. Captain Ann-Sophie Bettez scored the other two goals including the team’s first ever home tally. Fanni Gasparics scored her first PHF goal, Sarah Bujold got her fifth in three games, and Kennedy Ganser netted her first as a Riveter in reply for the visitors. Tricia Deguire picked up her second win in as many opportunities, playing opposite Rachel McQuigge who made her fourth straight start in goal.
Toronto Six 2, Boston Pride 3 OT
For the fourth time in five regular season meetings, 60 minutes was not enough to settle the score between Boston and Toronto. McKenna Brand’s first of the year came 1:34 into the extra frame to extend the Pride’s grip on first place with an unbeaten record. The teams traded goals in regulation with Kaleigh Fratkin’s power play marker giving the home side the lead after 40. Brooke Boquist responded for T6 early in the third period, then Becca Gilmore got her first PHF goal for the Pride, and captain Shiann Darkangelo tied the game with Toronto’s second goal. Shots were 33-29 in favor of Boston with Corinne Schroeder picking up a fifth straight win. Elaine Chuli took the loss.
Cover photo courtesy of Arianne Bergeron
