What Each PWHL Team Is Watching For During the World Championship
The Women's World Championships are entering into the medal round in Czechia and soon the PWHL will resume with only three games remaining for all six PWHL teams.
Here's what each team is keeping an eye on as the tournament play reaches its crucial stages.
No doubt the Victoire are watching the line of Poulin, Gardiner, and Stacey shine as a unit for Canada and show that they can step up under pressure, which they'll need to do in the playoffs. But the biggest focus for the team is the performance and return to form for goaltender Ann Renee Desbiens. She's still the #1 Canadian goalie and it will be important that she is healthy and at the top of her game.
Kristen Campbell has played well in her first game action for Canada at the World Championship, which is encouraging for Toronto. They have to be holding their breath that Campbell stays healthy since backup Raygan Kirk is currently on LTIR. It's also been worth noting the play of Hayley Scamurra for the U.S. since her game will likely thrive in the playoffs where checking is tighter.
Hilary Knight, Megan Keller, and Aerin Frankel have simply continued their reliable games so far in the WWC. The Fleet are looking for defender Daniela Pejsova to find some confidence while playing with Czechia in her home country, since she's struggled to find a consistent role with Boston and has even played some minutes at forward. They could use her rugged game in the playoffs.
With coach Carla MacLeod and the Czech contingent playing well and gaining momentum, the Charge are hoping that Katerina Mrazova remains healthy so she can be a contributor in the final three games to clinch a playoff spot. Ronja Savolainen has been outstanding defensively and offensively for Finland, and a possible injury in the quarterfinal game vs. Sweden could be a huge factor for Ottawa.
A good result for Team USA would boost the Frost's stars as they push to regain their place in the top four. Kelly Pannek has had a great tournament. If Grace Zumwinkle and Taylor Heise step up and deliver, it would be a boost for Minnesota who desperately need their scoring. The team's two goalies stayed home for the break and have either polished some of their rough spots, or might need to shake off some rust to help get crucial points in the last three games.
The Sirens' two superstars, Alex Carpenter and Sarah Fillier, have been playing huge roles for their teams, so no surprises there. Noora Tulus appears very comfortable with Finland, where she returned to a larger scoring and power play role. It appears that she has more to give, so a strong finish in the final games with New York would at least bode well for a return to form next season if the team doesn't pull off a miracle and qualify for the playoffs.
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