Pride
Clinching a playoff spot, what points mean now, perseverance, and some Pride.
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Standings: Who cares, we clinched a playoff spot! OK, fine: Third place. Nine points behind Boston, 12 points ahead of Toronto.
1. Game Recaps
Saturday, April 4 against the Vancouver Goldeneyes
6-5 win
Goals: So many goals and they came from Grace Zumwinkle, Katie Knoll, Taylor Heise, Mae Batherson, and two from Kelly Pannek. Six goals ties the Frost’s record for most goals this season, and 11 total goals ties the PWHL record for most goals in game (Ottawa and Minnesota’s 8-3 game last year).
Quick: The goals came fast and furious in this game—at one point there were three goals scored in 40 seconds. Two of those goals came just seven seconds apart, which has to be a record (no confirmation on that one).
Controversy: That many goals is never without controversy, including two lengthy reviews for Frost goals that were both ruled good. Another potential Vancouver goal late in the third period wasn’t even considered as the ref had blown the whistle, though it was likely a premature whistle. Here’s 365 Hockey Girl with the explanation.
2. We’re Going to the Playoffs!
With Saturday’s win, the Frost clinched a playoff spot for the third year in a row, this time doing it with plenty of time to spare and not waiting until the last game of the season.
So do points and the standings still matter? Yes. First and second place get home-ice advantage in the playoffs and first place gets to pick their opponent from the third and fourth place teams. It’s likely a race between Boston and Montreal, but with a strong showing and things going our way, the Frost could sneak in there. Given our track record against Montreal this year (all losses), it would be worth avoiding them in the playoffs.
Of course things haven’t worked out well for the first-place team in the last two years as they picked their opponent and then lost to them in the opening round.
3. Around the League
365 Hockey Girl has a great recap of Wednesday’s Ottawa vs. Seattle game as the bottom half of the standings scraps for that fourth and final playoff spot. Seattle faced elimination and had to win in regulation to stay alive, even though they’ve never won a road game in regulation.
4. Perseverance
Hockey News ponders who would be honored if the PWHL had the NHL’s Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy recognizing sportsmanship, perseverance, and dedication to the game. Among others, they cite the Frost’s Madison Bizal who overcame cancer in college and then came back to the PWHL with a training camp invite after having no contract last year.
5. Fan Signs
6. Fan Fare
The PWHL is rolling out league-wide Pride Unity games (Minnesota’s is tomorrow—Saturday, April 11), complete with swag:
Next game: Saturday, April 11 against the New York Sirens at Grand Casino Arena.