After an exciting first weekend back post-holidays, there is another action-packed weekend of PHF hockey ahead. All six PHF teams were scheduled to face-off this weekend; however, the Six vs Whale games were postponed due to COVID-19 protocol. With much hockey to look forward to, let’s dive in and take a look at the Week Nine matchups across the league.
Toronto Six vs Connecticut Whale
Prior to publishing it was announced that these games have been postponed.
The top two teams in the PHF were set to face off and this would have, undoubtedly, been the series to watch this weekend. As we look at the current leaderboard, there is a sea of Six and Whale logos. Out of the 35 players listed on the leaderboard, only seven of those players are not a member of the Six or Whale. These games would have been non-stop action as the top players in the league faced each other for the second time this season.
Metropolitan Riveters vs Boston Pride
The Boston Pride has not played a game since December 5, 2021. Due to several postponements for COVID-19 protocol and the holiday break, the team has not hit the ice in competition in over a month. The Pride is still sitting comfortably in third place in the league. The last games they played were a weekend sweep of the first-place Toronto Six. The Metropolitan Riveters are coming off of a disappointing weekend sweep courtesy of the Connecticut Whale. They will be looking to gain some ground in the standings with their performance this weekend.
Jillian Dempsey
Jillian Dempsey is one of the founding players of the NWHL/PHF. In her seventh season with the Boston Pride, Dempsey leads her team on and off the ice. She is fresh off an appearance at the ECHL All-Star Game where she not only played in the game but participated in Skills Competition. In the fastest skater competition, Dempsey posted an impressive 14.74 seconds. Dempsey was also selected to attend the PHF All-Star Game and will captain a team there. She is tied for the lead on the Pride for most goals (four) and points (seven). Dempsey is also lethal at the face-off dot and currently posts a 56.6 face-off win percentage.
Rebecca Russo
In her fifth PHF season, Rebecca Russo is leading her team with 10 points (four goals, six assists). She plays a disciplined game and currently has no time spent in the sin bin. Russo is a fan favorite for the Metropolitan Riveters, and it is easy to see why. In eight games so far this season, she has already bested her goals and assists from the previous two seasons. Currently averaging 1.3 points per game, Russo is not even halfway through the season and on pace to have her best season points-wise.
Minnesota Whitecaps vs Buffalo Beauts
The Whitecaps and the Beauts are two more teams that have not seen action in some time. Both teams played their last weekend series on December 18 and 19. The Whitecaps played at home versus the Toronto Six, and the Beauts played at home versus the Connecticut Whale. Furthermore, both squads will be looking to cleanse the minds of their fans after those games. Neither team came home with a win that week. This will be a fun matchup to watch as both teams are looking to make some moves in the standings.
Allie Thunstrom
Allie Thunstrom was the second PHF athlete chosen to participate in the ECHL All-Star game this past weekend. Not only did she participate in the game and skills competition, but she also rocked a half visor for both events. This is rare to see in women’s hockey, and an amazingly refreshing change to see on the ice. Allie scored the second goal of the game for the ECHL All-Star game at 6:10 of the first period and had a time of 13.75 seconds in the fastest skater competition. Like Dempsey, Allie is also set to captain a team at the upcoming PHF All-Star game. The four-season veteran is currently tied for the lead in points (four) for the Whitecaps with three goals and one assist.
Dominique Kremer
In her second season as a Beaut, Dominique Kremer is leading her team with six points (three goals, three assists) and is tied for the most blocked shots on the team (nine). Though the Beauts are currently in last place in the PHF, Kremer can help change that. She has only been kept off the scoresheet twice over the seven games the Beauts have played this season. She is having a fantastic sophomore season, so far. In her rookie campaign last season, she was kept completely off of the scoresheet. Keep an eye out for Kremer this weekend as she will be looking to help her Beauts add a few games to the win column.
This weekend will be non-stop and action-packed with PHF action. What games are you most looking forward to watching? Sound off in the comments!
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