When the NWHL dropped the puck on the 2021 Isobel Cup, the talk of Lake Placid surrounded the Boston Pride and Minnesota Whitecaps, the powerhouses of the league. As for the Toronto Six, the league’s latest addition, that’s all they were: the fresh meat.
When the Pride and Six faced off on Tuesday night, expectations were not lavish for Toronto. Both squads provided an offensive onslaught with nothing to show thanks to the efforts of netminders Lovisa Selander and Elaine Chuli. When the dust settled after period one, it was the Six that held a surprising edge in shots on goal, 13-6. But Boston’s Christina Putigna found twine first with the help of Taylor Turnquist and Lauren Kelly, both picking up apples on the scoresheet. However, the early disadvantage would not deter the Six in their efforts.
With luck failing to fall in Toronto’s favor, Selander denied Six forward Breanne Wilson-Bennett’s wayward penalty shot, keeping the Pride in front by a tally.
Tilting Ice
But the tide quickly turned as the Pride squandered a two-player advantage.
The solid penalty kill breathed new life in the Six, allowing for an adrenaline-filled third period. Brooke Boquist netted a power play tally with an assisting pass from Emma Woods and the game hit a reset early in the period. Just over a minute later, Mikyla Grant-Mentis ripped a shot past Selander, giving the Six the unlikely advantage on the scoreboard.
Toronto’s aggression seemingly caught Boston by surprise. A relentless approach allowed the Six to play to their strength, and an airtight PK shifted any and all momentum once possessed by the Pride to the other side of the ice. A true David & Goliath tale in Lake Placid where David emerged as a potential force going forward.
And after the hard fought effort led to the franchise’s first victory, elation set in, paving the way for dance moves and quite the ecstatic celebration: