With the first Walter Cup on the line, here are 5 things to watch in a historic game 5 of the PWHL finals.
With the first Walter Cup on the line, here are 5 things to watch in a historic game 5 of the PWHL finals.
The Walter Cup is on the line. For the first time ever, players from a PWHL team will hoist the championship trophy and forever be etched in history as the league's inaugural champions.
Here are five thing to watch in the historic game five.
1. The Trade
We almost saw it in game 4, a storyline worth writing where Sophie Jaques, drafted then traded by Boston scored the overtime winner against her former team. Instead, it was a photo of Susanna Tapani celebrating in front of Minnesota's net, the team who traded her to Boston in exchange for Jaques, who got the last laugh. Tonight, Tapani and Jaques will be two of the key players in deciding the PWHL's first title. Winner of the game wins the trade, at least this season.
2. Goaltending Duel
Playing in a 0-0 game into double overtime showcases the calibre of goaltending Minnesota and Boston have received this postseason. Aerin Frankel has become the "Green Monster," while Nicole Hensley has been almost impossible to beat as well. A single goal could mean the difference here as both goalies look to secure their place in pro hockey history as a clutch performer. If Boston wins the title, it would be hard to vote against Frankel at the playoff MVP.
3. Oh Captain My Captain
Kendall Coyne Schofield was the captain of Team USA until she left on maternity leave. Hilary Knight then took over. The duo, who were both instrumental in the PWHPA's push for a new league, are now going head to head for the PWHL championship in the inaugural season. Coyne Schofield as captain of Minnesota and Knight as captain of Boston. Neither have scored much in the postseason, but both are playing significant minutes and roles with their teams. One of these future Hall of Famers will raise the Walter Cup for the first time, and it will be another mark on their Hall of Fame resumes.
4. Home Crowd Advantage
For the first time this season, PWHL Boston will play in front of a sold out crowd at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, MA. Boston was second last in regular season attendance ahead of only New York, but they did have nights where they drew strong crowds. Tonight, there's not a seat available, nor is there a standing room spot available for the deciding game 5, and online tickets are going for as much as $3000 per seat through resale avenues. The moment tonight where one team lifts the Walter Cup will be electric. While it's a Boston crowd, it's primarily a women's hockey crowd, and ultimately, they'll be celebrating the moment and the importance of this game in history.
5. Muller vs. Heise
Heading into this season, the young stars were the talk of the league. Taylor Heise an American supertar, and Alina Muller, the biggest European player to commit to the league. They did not disappoint this season, nor this postseason. Muller led PWHL Boston in scoring this year, and Heise is currently sitting atop the playoff scoring ladder. If Minnesota wins tonight, she's a favourite to win MVP. Muller however has proven clutch. Like she did scoring the overtime winner for Switzerland at Worlds in their placement game, Muller scored the overtime winner to save Boston in game four, and she also scored Boston's lone goal giving her team life in game three. Head to head these two want to win as much as any player on the ice, and their impact will be felt in the deciding game five.