The inaugural PWHL playoff game took place tonight between Minnesota and Toronto at the Coca-Cola Coliseum in front of 8,473 in attendance. In this historic game, Minnesota would elect to start Nicole Hensley in net and Toronto would go with Kristen Campbell for the 23rd time this season. The game started off how we expected it would between the two teams who gave up the fewest goals in the regular season. Both teams did a great job defending, forcing the opposition to the outside and not allowing Grade A score chance in front. However, Toronto’s superstar Natalie Spooner broke the stalemate and registered the first ever PWHL playoff goal at 9:47 into the first period beating Hensley far side post from distance. Hannah Miller and Allie Munroe were credited with the assists. The first period was pretty even, with Toronto leading in shots 7-6 and faceoffs being tied at eight.

Minnesota fought back in the second period and dominated the shot total, outshooting Toronto 11-4. Despite the shot advantage, offensive zone possession time, and several scoring chances, Minnesota would fail to beat netminder Kristen Campbell. Both teams had an opportunity on the power play but both penalty kills would came up huge, with neither allowing a goal. Toronto were opportunistic in the middle frame, as they buried two of their four shots in the period. Sarah Nurse demonstrated her great skating ability and two hundred foot game almost a minute into the period when she picked up a loose puck in front of her net and skated all the way to the offensive zone where she found Emma Maltais with the puck. Maltais lowered her shoulder, cut across the front of the net, and tucked the puck through Hensley’s five hole on her backhand to put Toronto up 2-0. Toronto struck again 15:05 into the second period. Jocelyne Larocque passed the puck up to Spooner who found Blayre Turnbull back door to take a three goal lead. 

Minnesota surged in the first few minutes of the third with a barrage of shots but Campbell stood up to the challenge. Both teams traded rushes and scoring chances but both goalies denied them. 7:47 into the final stanza, Blayre Turnbull drew a tripping penalty on Abby Boreen but Minnesota’s penalty silenced Toronto’s power play again. Grace Zumwinkle, Kelly Pannek and Taylor Heise created several scoring chances for Minnesota but couldn’t light the lamp. With less than a minute remaining, Turnbull would bury a rebound and tally her second goal of the game.

Kristen Campbell continued where she left off in the regular season tonight with her high level ability to control rebounds, make timely saves, and control the pace of the game. She registered her first playoff shutout, stopping all twenty six shots and earning second star of the game. Toronto captain Blayre Turnbull scored two goals and was the first star of the game, while Natalie Spooner earned third star with a goal and an assist. Toronto’s forecheck was aggressive all game long. Sarah Nurse, Emma Maltais, and Brittany Howard were relentless in the boards and every puck battle. Renata Fast was a high impact player in this game for Toronto, excellently utilizing her fast skating, vision, and play making ability to transition the puck from the defensive zone to the offensive zone all night long. She did an excellent job of keeping Taylor Heise to the outside and protecting the front of the net. Even up by three goals in the dying minutes, the entire team was committed to defense where they were laying out and blocking shots. 

I thought Minnesota’s defense did a good job of containing Toronto’s offense, not allowing many scoring chances despite what the scoreboard suggests. The Toronto native Sophie Jacques was Minnesota’s best defender, making plays all night, including breaking up a breakaway from behind. Kelly Pannek forechecked all game long and created several scoring chances, including one that was a Toronto giveaway right to Zumwinkle in front of the net. Zumwinkle, Heise, and Coyne Schofield were persistent all night trying to create offense, with the three of them each registering four shots on goal. Only a few of the women on both teams have ever played a “best of” series, so it’ll be great to watch. Both teams set the tone tonight with physicality, high skill plays, and teammates fighting for each other. I am sure that Game 2 will be another exciting battle between these two excellent and deep teams.