Playoff Hopes Erased
It seems like yesterday when PWHL New York took the ice at Mattamy Athletic Centre to face PWHL Toronto in the first game in Professional Women's Hockey League history. With a dominating 4-0 win, the club got off to a promising start, but as losses became consecutive and unbreakable, those dreams of making the playoffs quickly went down the drain. After receiving the honor of being the first team with a win in PWHL history, things turned for the worse as PWHL New York earned the title of the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention in league history. A 5-2 loss to Montreal with three games left sealed New York's fate.
Unfortunately, the focus has shifted from earning a postseason berth to getting the first overall pick in the upcoming draft. To do so, New York must earn as many points as possible. But most importantly, putting on an enjoyable show for these final few games will leave a good taste in the mouths of PWHL NY fans, leaving them excited for the start of next season.
Yet, New York faced a tough competitor in the league's top team and the first to clinch a playoff spot: PWHL Toronto. Even if you tried, you could not put any more opposite teams against one another. New York had a home-ice advantage, playing in UBS Arena for the final time before the season's finale against PWHL Minnesota. However, with Toronto's lights-out players like Natalie Spooner and Sarah Nurse, New York had to be on their A-game to pull out a win.
First Period
Toronto's stars quickly went to work. Less than a minute in, a seemingly innocent shot from Jocelyn Larocque deflected off Sarah Nurse while making its way to the net, allowing Nurse to turn around and swipe the puck in the back of the net. The reality soon set in, and New York was already chasing Toronto, hoping to make up for the early one-goal deficit.
New York spent some quality time in the Toronto zone but had difficulty setting up. However, a mishandling by Toronto's goaltender Kristen Campbell left room for a possible game-tying goal. Emma Woods swiftly put the puck on net, but Campbell kept composure and immediately got back to save the shot. Still, the momentum continued for a few more seconds until a New York offside ultimately ended it.
Toronto had the opportunity to double their lead on a 2-on-1, but a pass from Maggie Connor didn't hit the mark, and they came up empty-handed. Campbell shut down a quick shot by Jaime Bourbonnais, and after being outshot 4-1, New York's peppering nature had both teams tied at five shots with 10 minutes left in the period.
New York handled itself well against Toronto's aggressive defense until a turnover gave Toronto captain Blayre Turnbull a one-on-one chance, which Levy denied. But as she was taken down by Jill Saulnier, the away team was awarded the first power play of the night. Toronto spent much time behind the night, exhibiting a pure amount of patience that paid off when Renata Fast's blast from the blue line was deflected down and past Levy by Sarah Nurse, marking Nurse's second goal of the game and first period. The hill to victory suddenly became even more steep.
Johanna Fallman was called for holding shortly after, sending New York back to the penalty kill. Unlike a few minutes prior, New York came out alive with help from forward Jill Saulnier, who wasted the last 30 seconds of Toronto's penalty with constant pressure deep in Toronto's zone.
New York tried to cut the deficit in half before the period ended, but as the horn sounded, both teams were sent to the locker rooms, with Toronto leading 2-0.
Second Period
Although the second period began with shots dead, even at 10-10, it was not reflected in the score. Toronto gained more momentum with an interference penalty from Jaime Bourbonnais. Within the first 21 minutes of the game, Toronto had three power plays, while New York had none. The home team kept the Toronto lead at just two goals despite some good chances against a scrambling New York penalty kill.
But it wasn't enough to take Toronto out of the game completely. Alexa Vasko found a hole between Levy and the post and sneaked in a backhanded shot to extend Toronto's lead, making it 3-0.
The hits continued, Toronto remaining relentless with Natalie Spooner shooting the puck top-shelf glove-side. A win on home ice quickly fell out of New York's grasp, trailing 4-0 not even halfway through the game. New York piled more shots on Campbell, and while they didn't get a goal out of it, they finally got a chance on the power play as Natalie Spooner headed to the box for slashing.
New York had good offensive-zone time, getting three shots on Campbell, all of which she stopped. As Spooner came back onto the ice, the score remained unchanged. A few physical exchanges put New York back on the power play, which was once again unsuccessful.
Saulnier nearly put the puck in the back of the net on a wrap-around attempt, missing by mere inches. Alexa Vasko also got a shot off on Levy, but the second frame of action ended with Toronto maintaining their vast 4-0 lead.
Third Period
Toronto did quick work yet again, and who else but Sarah Nurse to put the puck past Levy for the third time of the night, capping off the hat trick? While Nurse's initial shot was stopped, she could bank in her own rebound, extending Toronto's lead to five. The chances of a miraculous comeback dwindled even further as Jade Downie-Landry was called for roughing, placing Toronto back on the power play for the fourth time of the night. Ella Shelton had a chance shorthanded but came up empty-handed. Due to New York's defense, Toronto could not find the back of the net on the man-advantage.
That didn't matter, though, as Toronto continued their incredible performance. Rebecca Leslie put in a greasy goal that went off a New York player who was breaking up a pass by Brittany Howard. With 18 saves on 24 shots, head coach Howie Draper ended Abigail Levy's night, putting Lindsey Post in. Coming in the cold, Short stopped Natalie Spooner on a Toronto 2-on-1.
Finally, Abby Roque got New York on the board. After winning a faceoff at the left circle, Roque managed to get her stick on Ella Shelton's shot. The goal marked Roque's fifth of the season, breaking a four-game scoreless streak.
We let it Roque fr pic.twitter.com/ckCfe7VzTL
— PWHL New York (@PWHL_NewYork) April 28, 2024
New York gained slight momentum, but it was short-lived as the net was dislodged. Rebecca Leslie was called for hooking and then sent to the penalty box. This was New York’s chance to make a slight push, but the two minutes swiftly ticked away without the home team firing a single shot on Campbell. New York then got another chance on the power play with just under three minutes left in the game, thanks to Toronto forward Samantha Cogan getting called for a hooking minor.
As New York’s fourth power play started to end, they converted for a power play goal. Brooke Hobson found a lane through several Toronto and New York bodies to find her first in the PWHL.
BROOKE WITH HER FIRST EVER PWHL GOAL! 🚨 WE LOVE TO SEE IT!! pic.twitter.com/46tsbefUy7
— PWHL New York (@PWHL_NewYork) April 28, 2024
Still, the deficit remained at 6-2, which the scoreboard read as the final seconds of the third period swiftly counted down.
What to Look Forward To
Despite a poor performance against the league’s top competitor, there is still much to look forward to in PWHL New York’s final two games and throughout the offseason. Returning to the Prudential Center for their second and final game in New Jersey, New York has the chance to take the first overall pick fully with a win against PWHL Ottawa. In their final game of the inaugural season, New York remains at home, this time facing Minnesota.
It will be an interesting offseason for NY as questions surround who will return next season and who will join the club. The 2024 PWHL Draft will be held in Minnesota, but the date is unknown.
PWHL New York’s next game is Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
Be sure to check out JerseySportingNews.com all season long for more PWHL New York coverage!
- Game 24: PWHL NY VS PWHL MIN: The Final Game - May 4, 2024
- PWHL New York Stunned by Sarah Nurse's hat trick in 6-2 loss - April 30, 2024
- PWHL NY Winless Streak Extends to 7 in Loss to Ottawa - March 22, 2024
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