New York Keeps Slim Playoff Hopes Alive, Detroit Shows Up

The New York Sirens kept their ever fading playoff hopes alive Sunday in Detroit with a 4-1 win over the Minnesota Frost.

The win itself was overshadowed by an American attendance record of 14,228 and the fact the league hit their one-millionth fan all-time at the game. But the result was crucial to the Sirens' playoff push. It drew them within eight points of fourth place Minnesota, with two games in hand. 

Grace Zumwinkle scored the opening goal for Minnesota, but New York's offense took over from there. Jaime Bourbonnais tied the game in the first, followed by a go ahead goal from Paeytn Levis. In the second, Jessie Eldridge extended the lead, before Sarah Fillier sealed it with an empty net goal. It marks consecutive wins for New York who are in do or die mode.

 Corinne Schroeder had a standout performance in net stopping 33 of the 34 shots she faced.

While the crucial element of the on-ice result was New York's playoff hopes being staved, the prospect of Detroit as an expansion destination for the PWHL was the off ice focus.

For the second straight year, Detroit set a new American attendance record. 

 “I think you look at the crowd out there and that alone speaks volumes to what hockey means in ‘Hockeytown’. It’s a special opportunity that we get to participate in the game here and just to be around these players every day and to see how they interact with young girls that are at these games is special," said New York assistant coach Josh Sciba. "To see and feel the passion here in Detroit and hear the chants – it’s an incredibly special opportunity.”   

The PWHL is only days from potentially informing the public of their expansion plans. On February 20, the PWHL stated they would have an expansion update in 4-6 weeks. The four week mark is March 20.

The importance of the game as another opportunity for girls and women in Michigan was not lost on Minnesota Frost defender, and Michigan product, Mellissa Channell-Watkins.

“It means a lot; I never thought growing up that I would be able to play in professional women's hockey game in my home state, so it was kind of a dream come true," said Channell-Watkins. "Little Caesars Arena showed up. Everybody here has been so welcoming, and it's been such a great opportunity. And I know just seeing all the girls in the stands wearing their youth hockey jerseys, they can see it and now they know that they have something to look forward to.”