In the lone Premier Hockey Federation action last weekend, the top-tiered Toronto Six swept their weekend series against the Metropolitan Riveters.
Six vs. Riveters
The Six continued their dominance with a pair of wins over the Riveters this past weekend, including a 2-1 win on Saturday.
After a scoreless first period, Riveters captain Madison Packer opened the scoring on a wraparound goal just over three minutes into the middle frame. Packer managed to squeeze her way through three Six players around her and put the puck through the pads of netminder Elaine Chuli for the goal.
That, it turned out, was the only offense the Riveters were able to muster all weekend. Just 42 seconds later, the Six quickly rebounded with a goal from Taylor Woods. Woods received a stretch pass from Christine Chao at the other end of the ice, battled through a one-on-one with Leila Kilduff and sniped it in.
Lindsay Eastwood broke the stalemate in the third period off a breakaway, fresh out of the penalty box. She scored five-hole on Chuli to snag the eventual game-winning goal.
Brooke Wolejko stopped 32 of 34 shots faced, while Chuli stopped 21 of 22. Maegan Beres led all skaters with five shots on goal.
When the teams reconvened Sunday, it was all Toronto's game. The Six scored once each period en route to a 3-0 win, with Mikyla Grant-Mentis notching a pair of goals and eight shots on net.
Grant-Mentis, easily one of the most offensively-talented players in the PHF, capitalized on this 2-on-0 for her second goal of the afternoon:
Woods and Grant-Mentis play the 2-on-0 beautifully and it's 3-0 Toronto! pic.twitter.com/58gMh7Ug67
— PHF (@PHF) December 12, 2021
Emma Woods also scored on the power play.
Packer recorded seven shots on goal, but Toronto's Chuli was perfect on all 25 shots she faced over the course of the sixty minutes. Wolejko made 27 saves to add to her Saturday total.
Whitecaps vs. Beauts
The scheduled series between the Buffalo Beauts and Minnesota Whitecaps was postponed due to inclement weather impacting the Beauts' travel. The team arrived safely in Detroit, but their flight from there to Minneapolis-St. Paul was canceled. The series is expected to be made up at a date to be determined.
Standings
1. Toronto Six (5-1-1, 16 points)
2. Boston Pride (6-2, 15 points)
3. Connecticut Whale (4-3-1, 13 points)
4. Metropolitan Riveters (2-3-1, 7 points)
5. Minnesota Whitecaps (1-4-1, 4 points)
6. Buffalo Beauts (1-2-0, 2 points)
Video Review Introduced
The PHF also recently announced the implementation of a video goal judge system & coach's challenge protocol for the remainder of the 2021-22 season. Certain plays can be subject to review by video goal judges, who will work at PHF production headquarters in Florida.
According to the league, the following examples are the only situations that will be subject to video goal judge review:
- Puck crossing the plane of the goal line;
- Puck in the goal net prior to the goal frame being displaced;
- Puck entering the goal net at the expiration of a period;
- Puck directed into the goal net by any part of an attacking skater's body;
- Puck deflected into the goal net off an on-ice official;
- Puck struck with a high stick above the height of the crossbar by an attacking skater prior to entering the goal net.
A coach can initiate a challenge only for offsides or goaltender interference.
Four Women's Hockey Players To Participate in ECHL All-Star Classic
The ECHL's All-Star Classic next month in Jacksonville, Florida will include four women's hockey players. Jillian Dempsey (PHF/Boston Pride), Loren Gabel (PWHPA/Toronto), Sophia Shaver (PWHPA/Minnesota), and Allie Thunstrom (PHF/Minnesota Whitecaps) will participate.
The events on January 17, 2022 will be televised on NHL Network.
Other News & Notes
- The Connecticut Whale officially signed Kati Tabin, who had previously been on a PTO with the team.
Upcoming Games
Fingers crossed – all six teams are scheduled to be back in action this coming weekend. The Riveters wil look to snap their two-game funk as the Pride come to town (Saturday 6:00 PM Eastern; Sunday, 2:00 PM Eastern).
Elsewhere, the Beauts will finally get back to game action – they've been off since November 21 – by hosting the Whale (Saturday, 7:00 PM Eastern; Sunday 1:00 PM Eastern). Finally, the Six visit the Whitecaps (Saturday, 8:00 PM Eastern/7:00PM Central; Sunday 12:00 PM PM Eastern/11:00 AM Central).
(Photo: Toronto Six/PHF)
