BOSTON, MA – (December 20, 2022) – The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced its Three Stars of the Week following weekend action played December 16-18, 2022. Top performers include forwards Natalie Snodgrass of the Minnesota Whitecaps, Shiann Darkangelo of the Toronto Six, and Taylor Girard of the Connecticut Whale.
First Star: Natalie Snodgrass was the unequivocal star on Saturday night in Minnesota, a fitting complement to her 24th birthday celebration. The newcomer from Eagan, MN earned it all by scoring a natural hat-trick over a span of 12:51 to lead the Whitecaps to a 5-2 comeback victory over the Montreal Force. She scored the game-tying goal on the power play at 15:43 of the second period, popped the game-winner 2:40 into the third period at even strength, then added an insurance marker at 8:34 of the final frame. Her hat-trick is the fastest in franchise history and the team’s sixth all-time in regular season competition following Jonna Albers, Amanda Boulier, and three from Allie Thunstrom. Snodgrass was held off the scoresheet in Sunday’s 4-1 loss, but remains the Whitecaps leading scorer heading into the holidays with 10 points in 10 games including six goals and four assists. Her first PHF season follows a five-year NCAA tenure at the University of Connecticut where she was a two-year captain of the Huskies, scoring 139 points in 170 games with a program record 70 goals.
Second Star: Shiann Darkangelo scored a career-high four points in Toronto’s 6-4 victory against the Buffalo Beauts on Saturday that propelled the team into first place in the overall standings. The 29-year-old from Brighton, MI scored the game-winner late in the third period, and served up three assists including primary helpers on the first two T6 goals along with a secondary on the insurance tally. Combined with Friday’s 2-1 win outdoors, T6 now has 22 points powered by a 7-1-2 record. As for Darkangelo, the 2022 All-Star captain now has nine points in 10 games including three goals and six assists which is tied for third on the team. Her 140 faceoff wins are most in the PHF, with a .579 winning percentage that is among the league’s leaders. Earlier this season, the fifth-year veteran became the 14th player in PHF history to reach 50 career points, with her all-time totals now standing at 57 including 28 goals and 29 assists in 65 games.
Third Star: Taylor Girard also recorded a goal and three assists over two weekend games with the Whale. The 24-year-old from Macomb, MI showcased her ability to create offense on the penalty kill with her second shorthanded tally of the season on Saturday, despite Connecticut’s 5-2 loss to the Metropolitan Riveters. The team rebounded with a 6-4 win over the Boston Pride in Sunday’s rematch of the Isobel Cup Final, with Girard contributing three assists to the offensive attack. Two of her helpers set up Caitrin Lonergan’s first two career goals to build a 2-0 lead, plus Kennedy Marchment’s insurance cap to end 2022 on a high note. Last season’s Newcomer of the Year is picking up right where she left off with a team-high nine points in seven games following a 24-point rookie campaign. Her 1.3 points-per-game average is tied for fourth in the PHF, while her current six-game point-streak is the league’s longest heading into the New Year.
2022-23 PHF Three Stars of the Week:
December 16-18:
1. Natalie Snodgrass (MIN) 2. Shiann Darkangelo (TOR) 3. Taylor Girard (CTW)
December 9-11:
1. Jillian Dempsey (BOS) 2. Loren Gabel (BOS) 3. Brittany Howard (TOR)
December 3-4:
1. Kennedy Marchment (CTW) 2. Minttu Tuominen (MET) 3. Sydney Brodt (MIN)
November 26-27:
1. Jade Downie-Landry (MON) 2. Ann-Sophie Bettez (MON) 3. Fanni Gasparics (MET)
November 18-20:
1. Sarah Bujold (MET) 2. Corinne Schroeder (BOS) 3. Leah Lum (TOR)
November 5-6:
1. Corinne Schroeder (BOS) 2. Brittany Howard (TOR) 3. Élizabeth Giguère (BOS)
About the Premier Hockey Federation
The PHF is the home of professional women’s hockey in North America. Established in 2015 as the National Women’s Hockey League, the NWHL rebranded to become the PHF in 2021 and provide opportunities for elite athletes to earn a living playing the game they love while fueling the continued growth of the sport. The league is made up of the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters, Minnesota Whitecaps, Montreal Force, and the Toronto Six who all compete annually for the Isobel Cup. As part of a two-year agreement with ESPN, live coverage of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 PHF seasons is available exclusively on ESPN+ in the United States, and provides international rights for games which includes TSN in Canada. For more information visit premierhockeyfederation.com.
