The two semifinal games for the PHF are complete, and what an exciting day of hockey it was. First, the Minnesota Whitecaps faced off against the top-seeded Connecticut Whale. Then, it was the Boston Pride facing off against the Toronto Six. It was a high-scoring day of hockey, and the fans saw a total of 12 goals scored in the two games. Let’s dive into these two phenomenal games: who won and will battle for the Isobel Cup.
Minnesota Whitecaps vs. Connecticut Whale
Before this tournament, the Connecticut Whale had never made the trip to the Isobel Cup Final. This year, all that has changed as the Whale battled and beat the Whitecaps 4-2 during Sunday’s PHF Semifinal matchup. The first period saw no goals scored and great defensive efforts on both ends of the ice.
A Busy Second
The second period would see all six goals of the game scored. The scoring started with the Whale’s Kennedy Marchment as she picked her corner and sniped a shot just behind Amanda Leveille.
Marchment picks the top corner 🎯#Isobel2022 pic.twitter.com/WpyszDeshy
— PHF (@PHF) March 27, 2022
It took just a few minutes for Allie Thunstrom to even things up for the Whitecaps as she found herself in the right place at the right time and slid one behind Abbie Ives.
Allie Thunstrom and the Whitecaps answer right back!#Isobel2022 pic.twitter.com/Pe0I7f4GaO
— PHF (@PHF) March 27, 2022
The Whale would answer less than 2 minutes later when Janine Weber grabbed a beautiful deflection of an Allie Munroe shot from the point.
Weber provides the perfect deflection!#Isobel2022 pic.twitter.com/IYzp2mvLP6
— PHF (@PHF) March 27, 2022
The game’s first penalty would be called over halfway into the second period; the Whale had too many players on the ice. Furthermore, this penalty would lead to the only special team’s goal of the night as Ashleigh Brykaliuk would catch a deflection off the boards from a Sydney Baldwin shot and put it right behind Ives. Tied game for the second time of the afternoon.
The tie did not last long, though. Alyssa Wohlfeiler would put the puck in the back of the net just 14 seconds later. The final goal of the second period came from Tori Howran less than two minutes later. The celebration after this goal was one you love to see on the ice. Just a group of elated hockey players who have been completely overcome with emotion.
HOPE YOU LIKE GOALS! This second period has LOTS of ’em! The Whale double their lead.#Isobel2022 pic.twitter.com/reAh6UUrOR
— PHF (@PHF) March 27, 2022
Surprisingly, there would be no third period goals in this one. And the Connecticut Whale punch their very first ticket to the Isobel Cup Final.
Boston Pride vs. Toronto Six
Ah, Boston versus Toronto in the playoffs. A tale as old as time in the world of hockey. This series is one that PHF fans can come to expect. However, Toronto has yet to be on the winning side of these playoff matchups. This game was a rematch after the PHF Semifinal matchup during the bubble season last year. Boston won that game in 2021 and went on to win the Isobel Cup. This year, the same would happen as Boston defeated Toronto 5-1 in their semifinal matchup.
Boston came out onto the ice and were ready to dominate wherever they could. They seemed to be faster and more aggressive on the puck than Toronto throughout the game. This game, however, became a tale of special teams scoring early on.
Let the Scoring Begin
The first Pride goal came at 15:39 of the first period and was a power play goal. The situation that led to this was fascinating to watch as it unfolded. The Pride were killing a penalty assessed to Kaleigh Fratkin, and the Six were in the offensive zone battling to try and get on the scoreboard. First, Breanne Wilson-Bennett laid a check in the corner, and the ref’s hand went up. As the Pride were battling to get the puck out and down the ice, Mikyla Grant-Mentis tripped up an opponent, and the play was called dead.
Therefore, what would have been a four-on-four opportunity quickly turned into a four-on-three power play for the Pride. Christina Putigna would capitalize on this power play opportunity with a one-timer into a wide-open net as Elaine Chuli slid across the crease.
Putigna with the one-timer and the Boston Pride strike first!#Isobel2022 pic.twitter.com/CtUnJDHLG3
— PHF (@PHF) March 27, 2022
Just as the power play ended, Kali Flanagan would find the back of the net just 28 seconds later. And just like that, it was 2-0 Pride. Not even two minutes later, Kayla Friesen would beat Chuli again to make it 3-0. However, the Six did not end the period with a goose egg on the scoreboard. With 34 seconds left in the first period, Wilson-Bennett would beat Katie Burt while the Six were on the power play to cut the lead to two for the Pride.
A Difficult End for the Six
Unfortunately, that would be the only point the Six put up on the scoreboard. Furthermore, the Pride would add a goal in the second and third periods of the game from Evelina Raselli and Taylor Wenczkowski, respectively, and take the win 5-1. The Pride have heated up at the right time of the year, just as they did last season in the bubble.
The Final Showdown
Tonight, the PHF makes its network television debut on ESPN2 at 9 pm as the Isobel Cup Playoffs conclude. The two-time Isobel Cup Champion Boston Pride takes on the first-ever Cup Final appearance Connecticut Whale. So, who takes home the Isobel Cup is anyone’s game. So, PHF fans, who do you think takes home the Isobel Cup?
Follow Beyond Women’s Sports for more from the world of the PHF and women’s sports. You can find me on Twitter and be sure to check out my podcast Let’s Talk WoHawkey. The first episode is out now on all podcasting platforms.
