Around the PWHL: Malala in the house; Nurse is back; Poulin spinarama; Eyes on the Goldeneyes

A look back at the week that was in the PWHL

Talk about a league of their own. Iconic human rights activist Malala Yousafzai was in the house Tuesday night at Climate Pledge Arena to take in the Seattle Torrent game against the Toronto Sceptres.

And it was most definitely one to watch. The matchup was a thrilling, high-scoring affair, with the Torrent coming out on top 6-4 at the final buzzer.

It was also the battle of the Manitoban goaltenders, as Elm Creek’s Corrine Schroeder turned away 31 shots for the win, while Ste. Anne’s Raygan Kirk made 27 saves on the night.

Now let’s get to the other thrilling storylines that graced the PWHL in Week 9.

Highlight(s) of the week

Sarah Nurse is officially back.

The Vancouver Goldeneyes forward posted two goals in a 5-0 trouncing of the Toronto Sceptres Thursday night and has netted at least a goal per game (four goals in three games) since returning from an arm injury. Her first beauty on the night against the Sceptres was an unassisted snipe.

An honourable mention in the game — and the second star after Nurse — was Brandon’s Kristen Campbell, who posted the shutout for the Goldeneyes turning aside all 24 shots. It was also Campbell’s first shutout of the season.

Campbell, Nurse and fellow Goldeneyes teammate Izzy Daniel all got revenge on their former club, with Daniel opening the scoring for Vancouver in the second and Deloraine’s Ashton Bell picking up an assist on Daniel’s goal.

The game was also the largest margin of victory overall so far this season and is the franchise’s new record for goals in a game.

They call her Captain Clutch for a reason

The Montreal Victoire got revenge on the Minnesota Frost, Captain Clutch style. Marie-Philip Poulin’s spinarama in overtime was the game-winner and a highlight-reel goal.

The Victoire’s captain is well on her way to posting a new points record this season. Poulin currently sits atop the PWHL standings for most goals (35) and points (62). And despite her being one of the veterans of the league, her puckhandling and command of the game never ceases to be anything other than dazzling.

Game(s) to watch in Week 10

With the Olympic break fast approaching — the PWHL’s last games go down Wednesday with a quadruple header before returning Feb. 26 — it’s best to keep the Vancouver Goldeneyes on the radar.

The team has two more road games before the break — Sunday, Jan. 25 at Seattle (5 p.m. CT, CBC) and Wednesday, Jan. 28 @ Minnesota (8 p.m. CT, TSN) — key tests to see if the team can climb out of the league basement with Nurse on a heater. If they can bank points in these next two games, they should be able to land themselves in the all-important mix for fourth place.

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