2023-24 Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) News

[NoQuitInNewMexico]

Attendance for the first PWHL NY game in the Devils arena was a bit north of 5000. Which is *okay*, I guess, but I was expecting a bigger number. They had a lot of time to promote it.



They play in Newark again on the 30th and it's a Tuesday game so it should be a decent bit lower. The market is spread out, split up between the three NHL teams and only really used to supporting NHL hockey, so it's tough. I'm sure the league will try to make it work again next year, they're not shipping them out to Milwaukee, but Bridgeport didn't work out for them (not shocking considering how cold it is now as an AHL market)

Long form article about the New York team in the Times: New York’s Newest Hockey Team Has Everything but a Name and Home Ice

 

[LadyStanley]

Nice

 

[LadyStanley]

 

[LadyStanley]

 

[red devil]

 

[LadyStanley]

Last chance. Last dance.

 

[GindyDraws]

Attendance for the first PWHL NY game in the Devils arena was a bit north of 5000. Which is *okay*, I guess, but I was expecting a bigger number. They had a lot of time to promote it.



They play in Newark again on the 30th and it's a Tuesday game so it should be a decent bit lower. The market is spread out, split up between the three NHL teams and only really used to supporting NHL hockey, so it's tough. I'm sure the league will try to make it work again next year, they're not shipping them out to Milwaukee, but Bridgeport didn't work out for them (not shocking considering how cold it is now as an AHL market)

Long form article about the New York team in the Times: New York’s Newest Hockey Team Has Everything but a Name and Home Ice

When the Bridgeport team lost their independent identity as the Sound Tigers and became the Islanders, fans did not like the change and felt like it was a matter of time before they would just ship them to Nassau, so interest waned. As for the women's team, I stressed multiple times in this thread that a lack of mid-sized arenas in the area limit the ability to give the team a chance thrive. Ironically, 5K is the best they'll likely ever do.

 

[JMCx4]

For those who remember the PWHL, playoffs begin tonight in TOR ...

 

[LadyStanley]

 

[JMCx4]

ANOTHER FIRST! That never gets old.

 

[JMCx4]

Toronto's Natalie Spooner contributes the PWHL playoffs-first goal in the opening period vs. Minnesota.

 

[JMCx4]

1-0 TOR after one period. Sellout crowd brought LOTS of energy to Coca-Cola Coliseum for about the first 12 minutes, then they rested up for the FIRST intermission.

 

[JMCx4]

Now 2-0 Blue early in the 2nd, goal by Emma Maltais. Five-hole on MIN goaltender Nicole Hensley, who continues to be vulnerable to opponents making her move laterally.

Now Minnesota going to the PK. Big chance for Toronto to put Game 1 outta reach.

 

[JMCx4]

End of 2, 3-0. Spooner got her second, Edit: Blayre Turnbull scored the 3rd goal, as her team also stymied a single MIN PP and outplayed the visitors in all aspects.

 

[JMCx4]

So did this "initiative" never get initiated? I still see more ponytail that player name in these first playoffs.

 

[JMCx4]

TOR's captain Blayre Turnbull ends the scoring in the final minute with her second goal. Final score of the first PWHL playoff game = Toronto 4 - Minnesota 0. Kristen Campbell registers the first PWHL playoff shutout. Minnesota need a new game plan if they ever want to win their first post-season game.

8,473 fans in attendance.

 

[LadyStanley]

 

[JMCx4]

Montréal forward Sarah Lefort will sit out Thursday night's Game 1 of her team's semifinals playoff series vs. Boston due to her League suspension. ETA: Dagnabbit, @LadyStanley beat me to it.

And looking back at Wednesday night playoff action, here's the game recap for Toronto's Game 1 victory over Minnesota ... TURNBULL, SPOONER, CAMPBELL LEAD TORONTO TO GAME 1 WIN AGAINST MINNESOTA

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Montréal forward Sarah Lefort will sit out Thursday night's Game 1 of her team's semifinals playoff series vs. Boston due to her League suspension. ETA: Dagnabbit, @LadyStanley beat me to it.

And looking back at Wednesday night playoff action, here's the game recap for Toronto's Game 1 victory over Minnesota ... TURNBULL, SPOONER, CAMPBELL LEAD TORONTO TO GAME 1 WIN AGAINST MINNESOTA

reminder: PWHL Boston ALREADY HAS a dedicated thread on the Boston Board.... they've played in various rinks including Warrior.... but it appears it'll be the Tsongas Center in Lowell starting in January 2025.... for those unaware.... Lowell lost its pro hockey spot to the D1 Riverhawks

 

[NoQuitInNewMexico]

I don't like that suspension for the Montreal player - any lateral hires from NHL DPS that we can blame?

 

[JMCx4]

Score 0-0 after one period in Semifinals Game 1 @ Place Bell. Neither Montreal nor Boston could mount sustained offensive pressure over the 20 mins. MTL will have remaining PP time to start the 2nd.

 

[JMCx4]

Montreal's Laura Stacey EDIT: Kristin O'Neill credited with Montreal's goal to give her team a one-goal lead with a PP goal early in the 2nd period.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Montreal's Laura Stacey gives her team a one-goal lead with a PP goal early in the 2nd period.

btw, this game is being shown in New England for those who have access.... since it's an off night in Boston sports locally;

NESN | Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, Celtics, Hockey East and more

Coverage of the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, New England Patriots and Boston Celtics from your home for New England sports.

www.nesn.com

 

[JMCx4]

End of two periods, still 1-0 Montreal leads. Boston picked up their offensive play in the middle frame, but neither team has been able to maintain puck possession for an extended time.

 

[JMCx4]

BOS Sophie Shirley ANOTHER ETA: True to form for PWHL official scorers ... Lexie Adzija awarded the Boston tally to tie the game 1-1 early in the 3rd.

And now Boston going on the (wo)man advantage. ETA: Boston takes a penalty for goalie interference to negate the 5-on-4.