In the opening game of Sarah Fillier's PWHL career, opponents treated her with deference allowing the star to open the ice and drive offence for her teammates.
In the opening game of Sarah Fillier's PWHL career, opponents treated her with deference allowing the star to open the ice and drive offence for her teammates.
Sarah Fillier scored a hat trick in the final game of the PWHL preseason. It was a message to the league, that the first overall pick and Canadian national team star was primed to make an immediate impact on the league.
Apparently, the league took note, as Fillier claimed her place, and was shown deference in her regular season debut with the New York Sirens.
While Fillier didn't score in her first official game, she was on the ice for three of New York's four goals, factoring into each, including two assists. Her impact was evident.
On New York's opening goal, which came on the power play, Fillier posted up low on the back door. Whether it was New York's intent to find their young star for a one timer or not, Minnesota collapsed their box to defend against the cross seam pass. Moments before the goal, Klara Hymlarova could be seen pointing and communicating Fillier's back door presence. As soon as Minnesota's box tightened, Alex Carpenter sent a pass to Jessie Eldridge who was unguarded standing on the top of the circle allowing her to get a clean one-timer off that beat Nicole Hensley.
On Fillier's first point of the night, she broke a check from Claire Thompson in the neutral zone before creating separation on a two-on-one alongside Alex Carpenter. Entering the offensive zone, all eyes were on Fillier as Flaherty zoned in on the attacker and Thompson also looked focused on Fillier rather than backchecking to the back post where Carpenter was driving. As Fillier drew a sliding Flaherty and backchecking Thompson to her, she threaded a picture perfect saucer pass to Carpenter who scored to give New York their first lead of the game.
Perhaps no moment was more evident of the respect opposing teams will give Fillier this season than in the extra frame. As Fillier regroup the puck to her own zone in overtime, Taylor Heise tracked her through the neutral zone. By the time Fillier hit the offensive blueline, her coverage had been passed off to Kendall Coyne Schofield with all eyes on Fillier. As she crossed the blueline, Coyne Schofield, Heise, and defender Lee Stecklein had zeroed in on Fillier ignoring Carpenter and Ella Shelton who were on the ice for New York. As Fillier carried the puck low, the trio of Minnesota players followed her leaving an abundance of open ice for Carpenter. Stecklein and Coyne failed to close the passing lane with their sticks as Fillier slid the puck low to high for Carpenter who made no mistake firing the overtime winner through Hensley.
Sarah Fillier has shown herself to be one of the top players in the world in international play, and it's clear her opponents are taking note when she's on the ice. Whether she scores, or as it was on the opening night of New York's PWHL season, sets up the offense, Fillier is already elevating those around her and the New York Sirens.