The Professional Women’s Hockey League played its first-ever game, slated between Toronto and New York. The inaugural North American Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) match was won by New York with a concluding score of 4-0.
We've earned this ice time.
It's time to play PWHL hockey! pic.twitter.com/dxBCAYMpQK
— PWHL (@thepwhlofficial) January 1, 2024
The first PWHL win of many.
Congrats, @PWHL_NewYork! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/jPnPZoh97H
— PWHL (@thepwhlofficial) January 1, 2024
The Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto, Canada, saw the stadium packed with spectators. Women’s rights advocates and Tennis legend, Billie Jean King and Jayna Hefford, who is a four-time Olympic Gold Medalist and PWHL chairman conducted the ceremonial puck drop.
What a day to have a day alongside an absolute legend.@BillieJeanKing joined us in the locker room ahead of puck drop to deliver a very special starting line-up. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/MJLAsQYd2H
— PWHL_Toronto (@PWHL_Toronto) January 1, 2024
According to the Olympic, King, the twelve-time Grand Slam winner, went to each team’s dressing room before the game began and she also read Toronto’s starting lineup.
Today was one for the history books, as the Professional Women's Hockey League (@thepwhlofficial) played their 1st game in Toronto. @PWHL_Toronto took on @PWHL_NewYork, the game was action-packed, & the arena was full of terrific fans.
Join me in supporting these athletes! https://t.co/QxCeQlPgNf
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 2, 2024
Troy Ryan, the head coach of the Toronto squad, shared regarding the historic moment, “Seeing the emotion in the faces of our players when she announced their names it was an iconic moment from an icon. I’ve been part of world championships, club championships, Olympic Games and there was probably more emotion surrounding this one than any of those gold medal games”. Ryan is also the head coach of Canada’s national women’s team.
From the side of the victors, Ella Shelton, Kayla Vespa, Alexandra Carpenter, and Jillian Saulnier scored. Corinne Schroeder, New York’s goalie, saved 29 shots, etching her name among the top.
Schroeder starting the New Year off strong. 💪
29 saves for #30. pic.twitter.com/CkmkaKkJeM
— PWHL (@thepwhlofficial) January 1, 2024
History made. pic.twitter.com/3efTK84duA
— PWHL (@thepwhlofficial) January 1, 2024
HANG IT IN THE LOUVRE!! pic.twitter.com/BIFP4wdOd3
— PWHL (@thepwhlofficial) January 1, 2024
The opening goal was made by Ella Shelton of the New York squad.
Mood. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/zcmCgCOAEP
— PWHL (@thepwhlofficial) January 1, 2024
The Toronto squad’s goaltender, Kristen Campbell, stopped 24 shots, and Sarah Nurse also shared, “I think that was the game we were all waiting for. It almost felt like an Olympics.”
The Professional Women’s Hockey League played its first-ever game today, drawing a sellout crowd in Toronto 🏒 pic.twitter.com/SHuGqNY8Ce
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) January 2, 2024
Emma Maltais also expressed, “Look at the attention — we’ve never had this attention, and I think that’s the most important part, getting people to see it. Once people see it, they’ll respect our game so much more and once you watch one game you’ll be a fan, I think.”
