Abby Roque’s game is characterized by strength, in the faceoff dot, along the boards, and against opposing teams who always find her a particularly pesky opponent to face. But off the ice, she says it’s all forgotten.
Abby Roque’s game is characterized by strength, in the faceoff dot, along the boards, and against opposing teams who always find her a particularly pesky opponent to face. But off the ice, she says it’s all forgotten.
Abby Roque has built a reputation of being a player that’s hard to play against and one of the league's most aggravating opponents. She seemed to be taking on the entire Toronto team in the Battle on Bay Street this past Saturday.
In particular, she had at least three run-ins with Sarah Nurse, and drew the ire of many of the Sceptres by going hard to the net after whistles. She didn’t shy away from any pushing and shoving – as her reputation would suggest.
However, in the post-game press conference, she was happy to point out, “I’d like to say I have zero penalty minutes this year… I actually don't know how!” (Last year, she was second in PIM with 31 in 24 games)
“But obviously, I think it's funny. Every team has people you're friends with. But the second you’re on the ice, I mean, most of us couldn't care less. I think it's about winning and it's about getting in somebody's face, and if somebody's going to have a dirty hit or do something that we don't like, you’ve got to take them out and after the game, you’ve got to let it all go.
“It's a small league, you get used to people like that. It creates some rivalries, and I think it's good for the sport.”
With Nurse, she said, “we've had a few [battles], but always on the ice. Off the ice, she's awesome and one of my best friends.”
Roque is effective in more ways than just her agitator role. She led the league in faceoff win percentage last year at 60% and this season is holding down a cool 67% win percentage in the first 11 games.
She’s contributing offensively, with six points already, and has still managed 16 hits, so her physical game is still effective.
Roque has played with different linemates, but when asked about one in particular, Jessie Eldridge, she was quick to compliment the skilled forward, who often plays against the American Roque on Team Canada, but who was left off the roster for the Rivalry Series.
“I think people don't give her enough credit. She's probably one of the best goal scorers in the league. She makes plays all around the ice,” said Roque. (Eldridge has 10 points already in 11 games).
“I think a lot of people sleep on her. I think we saw that with the Rivalry Series roster getting released, but she's somebody who brings it every day and she makes those plays; she's one of the smarter people on the ice and she knows how to get around the net. So having her on our team is really a blessing.”
Although the Sirens came out on the losing end of the Battle on Bay Street with a 4-2 loss to Toronto, Roque and the team have to feel good about the direction they’re going this year. The team has three regulation wins, three overtime wins, and one overtime win and four regulation losses. They’ve been in a playoff position right from the start of the season, and look like they don’t intend to let up.
With Roque playing her feisty and reliable game, the Sirens are set up well to continue those trends.
New York plays next on Monday at TD Place in Ottawa versus the Charge.