Back in the New York Groove: PWHL New York Gets Back in the Win Column

Courtesy of Lily Karlin/Girls Club

PWHL New York returned to UBS Arena for their second straight home game and were facing off against PWHL Boston, the team just above them in the standings. With both teams outside looking in on the playoff picture, there were crucial points on the line in this game. New York came into this contest with seven consecutive losses and Boston most recently fell 2-1 to league-leading Toronto on Wednesday. With a great crowd in attendance, it was sure to be a competitive and exciting game.

The first period was a back and forth affair with both teams seeing outstanding scoring chances while sustaining pressure in their respective offensive zones. Opposed to the last handful of games, New York came out much more aggressive and maintained a fantastic pace right from the opening puck drop. New York was awarded the first power play of the game as Boston’s Gigi Marvin received a two minute minor for hooking. Despite having the man advantage for two minutes and seeing a few scoring chances, Boston successfully killed off the penalty which kept the game scoreless.

Just over 30 seconds into the second frame, Boston’s Megan Keller took a two minute penalty for hooking to give New York their second power play of the game. Jade Downy-Landry found the back of the net on the man advantage to put the home team on the board first. Not long after, Boston took yet another penalty and New York capitalized once again as Elizabeth Giguère scored her second goal of the season. Exactly 58 seconds after New York earned the 2-0 lead, Alina Müller got a puck past New York’s Corinne Schroeder to put Boston on the scoresheet. A too many players on the ice penalty was given to Boston at the end of the second period, giving New York some power play time to begin the final frame.

Courtesy of Lily Karlin/Girls Club

The third period started off with a fast pace, but it wasn’t until Marvin took another two minute minor that New York broke through again. Just before the power play ended, Downie-Landry scored her second goal of the game to put New York up 3-1. Three minutes later, Sophie Shirley made some pretty moves to get Boston back within one. Lexie Adzija picked up her first point with Boston after being traded from Ottawa at the trade deadline last Monday.

Courtesy of Lily Karlin/Girls Club

New York’s Corinne Schroeder stood tall in her net making save after save for the remainder of the game and when the final buzzer went off, fans erupted in loud cheers as the home team snapped their seven game losing streak and captured their first regulation win on home ice.

Downie-Landry earned first star honors as she recorded her second three-point performance of the season with her two goals and helper in the contest and Schroeder secured her sixth win of the campaign which is third most among all goaltenders in the league. 

“Honestly, I kind of just put my hands up and stayed there for like ten seconds like ‘Oh, thank god. Finally!’” said Downie-Landry about the emotions when the final buzzer went off. “It was a relief for everyone, but it also reiterated what we can do and what kind of games we can play.” 

The PWHL will pause for four weeks so many athletes can compete in the upcoming IIHF Women’s World Championships in Utica, New York, but when the teams return to play, the playoff push will be the full focus and the New York squad is aware of the tough road ahead to qualify for the postseason which Downie-Landry recognizes. 

“We have five games remaining and we’re super close to being where we want to be and so every game for us is going to be a battle and we have to kind of compete to come out on top because there are super important games.” 

“We are taking it one game at time, trying to improve everyday, and we’re trying to have fun. Trying not to get frustrated and trying to get points wherever we can get them and I think we did a good job this time today.” said Giguère.

New York Head Coach Howie Draper had a lot of praise for his team following the tremendous win. “I think, I don’t think, I know that this was the most consistent game that we’ve played. That’s another thing that we’ve been working hard towards and the players have been working hard towards and it just feels really good to finally see them get there.”

New York now sits seven points behind Ottawa for the fourth and final playoff spot and all six teams have only five games left in the regular season.