(Toronto) Ella Shelton scored the historic goal and New York blanked Toronto 4-0 in the first game of the inaugural season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Monday.
Corinne Schroeder made 29 saves and signed the first shutout in the history of this new women’s hockey league.
Shelton mentioned that his stick and Schroeder’s were headed to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
“At first I didn’t even notice, but then my teammates came up to me and I realized the puck was in the net,” said the defenseman, whose family and friends were present. for the occasion.
“It’s a surreal moment for me,” she added. I couldn’t even tell you if I remember correctly. I am very proud of our group. »
Alex Carpenter, who added an assist, Jill Saulnier and Kayla Vespa also scored for New York (1-0-0).
Kristen Campbell stopped 24 pucks for Toronto (0-1-0), which played in front of a packed house of 2,537 spectators at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.
Billie Jean King, tennis legend and member of the Board of Directors of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (LPHF), took the ceremonial puck drop alongside the league’s Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations, Jayna Hefford .
Each Toronto player was introduced to the crowd before the game. They all received standing ovations as fans captured the moment on their cell phones.
Kim Desrochers, her husband and three young children were present for this first LPHF match.
“I wanted my daughters to see this professional women’s hockey game and it just made sense that they were here today,” said Desrochers.
New York and Toronto faced off in a preseason game in Utica, New York, and the crowd favorites won the matchup 6-4 on Dec. 7.
After outshooting Toronto 13-8 in the first period, Shelton opened the scoring for New York midway through the second period.
The Canadian defender beat Campbell with a wrist shot from the left faceoff circle.
Toronto had numerous scoring chances during the period, but the team was unable to capitalize on them.
Sarah Nurse beat a defender with a nice move, but she was stopped by Schroeder with 1:57 remaining. Emma Maltais suffered the same fate shortly after, following a one-timer.
The second period was scoreless. Toronto outshot New York 16-4, but Schroeder was impressive once again.
Maltais was unable to escape his vigilance during a return of Hannah Miller’s throw. Natalie Spooner’s shot was also blocked by the New York goalkeeper.
Carpenter, Saulnier and Vespa moved the strings within an interval of less than five minutes in the final third.