With the turn of the New Year, the Premier Hockey Federation makes its way toward the halfway mark of the season. The best teams in the league further establish themselves as contenders, including the two-time defending Isobel Cup Champion Boston Pride who get set to take on the struggling Connecticut Whale.
Watch the Premier Hockey Federation on ESPN+
Boston Pride (7-2-0) vs. Connecticut Whale (3-3-1)
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Where: International Skating Center of Connecticut (Simsbury, Conn.)
Stream: ESPN+
Unlike last season, Pride is one of the top teams in the PHF. They started the season with a trio of shutouts, thanks to the play of Corrine Schroeder, who has taken the No. 1 job well since Katie Burt was left to go to free agency. So far, Schroeder has four shutouts, currently the most in the league. Her 2.28 goals-against-average and .937 save percentage are both tops in the PHF. Boston also possesses one of the best offensive weapons, as former PWHPA member Loren Gabel leads the league by averaging 1.9 points per game. The Clarkson graduate is currently second with 13 points, three back of the Toronto Six’s Brittany Howard. The Pride is second in the league standings, three back of the Six.
While the Whale have only played seven games so far this season, they do not look like the offensive juggernaut they were last season. After averaging almost five goals a game during the 2021-22 regular season, Connecticut is scoring less than three goals per game, are at an even 3-3-1 so far. An inconsistent schedule might be the cause for the Whale’s rough start, but with three games in hand on most of the league, they have plenty of time to make up ground. Connecticut is fifth in the PHF with 10 points, 12 back of Toronto.
This will be the third meeting of the season between the two teams, with the Whale earning a win in each of the clubs’ last games on Dec. 18. Boston opened up their season with a win back on Nov. 5. It was not that long ago that the Pride took down Connecticut in the Isobel Cup Final, becoming the first team in league history to win back-to-back championships.
Watch the Premier Hockey Federation on ESPN+
