Toronto won their 10th straight game retaking first overall in the PWHL standings in front of 8,850 fans at PPG Arena in Pittsburgh.
It was only fitting that a player named Flanagan was the first star in a St. Patrick's Day matchup between PWHL Toronto and PWHL Montreal in Pittsburgh.
Defender Kali Flanagan had a goal and an assist in Toronto's 2-1 win over a shorthanded Montreal, lifting Toronto to their 10th straight win.
“It was really cool," said Flanagan of scoring in front of the 8,850 fans at PPG Arena in Pittsburgh for the second stop of the PWHL Takeover weekend. "I think for me, I was just trying to keep the puck in. I was pinching down trying to see where the puck was going to go, and it just popped out and I was just thinking 'get it on net'. Having an atmosphere like that, a crowd like that, our team has had so much cool support and I think it was just really fun and cool support to have that reaction [to the goal].”
Toronto's win put them back atop the PWHL standings with 33 points through 17 games this season. It's a streak that after a slow start, has been an impressive turnaround for the league's top team.
"The whole season started off, we had that first game, I think there was a lot of nerves, but the group is so good together off the ice," said Toronto head coach Troy Ryan.
"The league has done a great job setting us up for success. I think it’s honestly just sticking with it, the basics. The way we play is physical, we have a good combination of offense and defense and I think that gives us a chance to win every night. Soupy (Kristen Campbell) in goal has done a great job dealing with some of the adversity that she had at the start of the year and finding a way to play with confidence and the composure that she's had.”
Campbell stopped 17 shots in their win over Montreal, who was without Marie-Philip Poulin, Ann-Sophie Bettez, Kennedy Marchment, and Dominika Laskova, who were all out of the lineup due to injury.
The lone goal that beat Campbell proved to be Kristen O'Neill's first goal of the season for Montreal.
Toronto hosts Boston Wednesday, while Montreal has a full week off before travelling to Minnesota March 24.