After a 26 day break for the holidays and postponed games, the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) is back in action this weekend. Here is a look at the upcoming matchups across the league.
Metropolitan Riveters at Connecticut Whale
The first matchup of the weekend will see the Metropolitan Riveters take on the Connecticut Whale at Danbury Ice Arena. This is the second time this season these two teams have met, but the first time they face off in Connecticut. These two teams played their first weekend series on Nov. 6 and 7, splitting the series with one win apiece.
The first season series was a spicy set of matchups with a combined 50 penalty minutes and one ejection. Anyone watching could see that emotions were high, and both teams were hungry for a win on opening weekend. PHF fans were in for some pretty high-scoring action in the opening weekend sets. The Nov. 6 matchup saw the Riveters taking the win 4-1. The Whale came out determined to split the weekend series with a 6-5 win on Nov. 7. There are several players to be on the lookout for when it comes to putting the biscuit in the basket.
Have a Season Kennedy
Currently, Kennedy Marchment is on an impressive nine-game point streak (6 goals, 7 assists). The only game this season she did not record a point was in the season opener. In her first season in the PHF, Marchment has been the player to watch. She was one of seven Whale players to be selected for the PHF All-Star showcase. She also leads the team with an impressive 54 shots. It just goes to show, when you take the shot, good things happen.
Veteran Packer Continues to Lead
There is also no shortage of goals coming from the Riveters either. Currently, Madison Packer leads her team with 9 points (5 goals, 4 assists) in 6 games. As one of the founding members of the league, Packer is playing incredible hockey during her 7th season. Packer has also been selected for an impressive fifth All-Star appearance this season.
I expect this weekend series will be another spicy affair. I predict another fast-paced, high-scoring series between these two charter members of the league.
Buffalo Beauts vs. Toronto Six
The second series we will see this weekend is between the Buffalo Beauts as they make the trip to Toronto to take on the Six at York Canlan Ice Arena. This is the second matchup between these two teams who also faced off on opening weekend with a singular game. The first matchup between these teams saw a combined 7 goals from 7 different players. The atmosphere for this matchup will be a little different as new COVID protocols will see the Six play at home with no fans in attendance for the first time this season.
Kremer Leads the Beauts in Goals
The Beauts have played the fewest game to date this season with several matches due to weather and protocol postponements. In the 5 games played, the Beauts have seen a good spread of goals from across the roster. There are 5 Beauts tied with 4 points on top of the roster. Leading the team in goals (3) is second-year player Dominique Kremer, one of the four Beauts selected for the 2022 All-Star showcase. Kremer and the Beauts will be looking to snap the 3 game losing skid they are currently on during this matchup in Toronto.
Grant-Mentis, a Force to be Reckoned With
Mikyla Grant-Mentis is tearing it up in her third season in the league. Grant-Mentis currently leads the Six with 15 points, with an impressive 5 goals in 9 games. She is an absolute force to be reckoned with on the ice and has no fear when it comes to shooting the puck. She has registered 63 shots so far this season. It should come as no surprise that she has been selected for the 2022 All-Star Showcase. Mikyla leads the league in points (15), assists (10), points-per-game (1.7), and game-winning goals (3).
This series will be one to watch for sure. The Beauts need to get into the win column, but can they stop the Six and put an end to their four-game win streak?
All PHF games are available to stream on ESPN+ in the United Stated and on Twitch or TSN Direct in Canada.
Follow Beyond Women’s Sports for more from the world of the PHF. Beth Bolger is available on Twitter @WonderBeffers and you can follow her there.
