PWHL Minnesota (2-0-0-0) looks to keep the good times rolling as they welcome PWHL Toronto (1-1-0-0) into the Xcel Energy Center.
PWHL Minnesota (2-0-0-0) looks to keep the good times rolling as they welcome PWHL Toronto (1-1-0-0) into the Xcel Energy Center.
Minnesota fans could see multiple players notch the first goal of their PWHL career tonight, as plenty of the world’s best have yet to find the back of the net entering their third game. However, a usual suspect in Minnesota looks to continue their hot start.
Can Zumwinkle Go Three Straight?
Grace Zumwinkle is setting the PWHL on fire. The first-year pro looks like a seasoned veteran through her first two games. Her four goals speak for themselves, but even when she’s not scoring, she uses her speed and physicality to drive play and put defenders on their heels.
The power forward has been nothing short of impressive to kick off her pro career, but the real question is whether Zumwinkle can keep this torrent goal-scoring pace up—game-winning goal-scoring pace, that is.
She’s potted both of Minnesota’s game-winning goals so far, and it would be sensational if she did it in her and her team’s third straight game.
Toronto’s Second Line
Toronto’s second line is a key reason they took down New York in their recent matchup. The trio of Maggie Connors, Emma Maltais, and Natalie Spooner drove play, flashed their fantastic forechecking ability, and made things challenging for New York in the offensive zone.
Among the three, Maltais stood out. Aside from getting the first ‘jailbreak’ goal in PWHL history, which was the game-winner, she threw a team-high five shots on the net, put her teammates in prime scoring chances, and played the chippy style she is known for. Maltais, who leads the PWHL in shots with ten, is a thorn in the side of any line she matches up against, and it will be no different Wednesday night in Minnesota.
Players to Watch
Blayre Turnbull - We are only two games into the season, but Blayre Turnbull has not been dominant by any means. Toronto’s captain is without a point, has a plus/minus of -4, and has only managed three shots on goal. Perhaps the most shocking of her very early season results is her struggles in the faceoff dot against New York. Turnbull has won a dismal 26.9% of her draws, placing her dead last in the PWHL among players to take ten-plus faceoffs—winning just seven of 26. Granted, New York’s Abby Roque and Alex Carpenter have won 72.4% and 58.3% of their draws, respectively, but one would have hoped for more from the veteran center.
Turnbull notched a hat trick in her preseason debut versus Boston, was point-per-game in the PWHPA last season, and scored six points (2-4-6) in seven games at the World Championships. Turnbull is capable of offensive outbursts, and given her lack of offense so far, expect her to come out strong against Minnesota as she looks for her first point and goal of the season.
Kelly Pannek - Amid Minnesota’s record-setting attendance numbers, Zumwinkle’s four-goal week, Taylor Heise’s debut, and the stellar back-to-back goaltending performances, it is easy to gloss over Pannek’s play. Pannek’s game isn’t flashy. She doesn’t have a shot like Heise’s, Kendall Coyne Schofield’s speed, or Zumwinkle’s puck protection ability, but she brings an impeccable two-way game, forechecks well, and knows how to win—after all, she is an Olympic gold medalist. The Plymouth, Minnesota native’s strong forechecking directly led to Zumwinkle’s first goal last Saturday, where she notched one of her two assists in the game on the play. Pannek is a staple on Minnesota’s penalty kill, often finding herself centring the second unit. She leads her team in faceoff percentage and is eighth league-wide with 53.3% among players to take over ten draws.
It’s easy to overlook Pannek’s contributions in the grand scheme of things. However, the second line of Pannek, Zumwinkle, and Susanni Tapani will aim to continue their success against Toronto. Look for Pannek to continue bringing solid play at both ends of the ice in front of her home fans at Xcel Energy Center.
Minnesota looks to become the first team in PWHL history to win three consecutive games as they take on Toronto in front of their home crowd at Xcel Energy Center. Catch the game on Bally Sports North Extra, NESN, Sportsnet Pittsburgh, and TSN, or stream it on the PWHL’s official YouTube channel. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. CST, 8:00 p.m. EST.