Games to Watch During the 2021-2022 Season
With Minnesota announcing members of their team, and the rest of the PHF locking down their rosters we’re close to saying it: Hockey. Is. Back.
Friday marks a return to action and starts the title defense for the 2021 Isobel Cup Champion Boston Pride. While the PHF’s social media team picked only a few games to watch, I’m here to break down every game to watch for Boston in 2021-22 season.
10/1/21: @ Providence College Friars
Exhibitions against colleges don’t count for record. However, not having some preseason action last season forced Boston to find their groove in-season. This matchup against Providence College provides game experience, freedom to experiment with lines, and a chance to build chemistry.
Providence will not make it easy for the Pride. Last season PC received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament before losing to Wisconsin. With multiple returners, PC ranked #2 in the Hockey East preseason polls, and just missed a top ten ranking in the USCHO polls. This game looks to be a good test for the defending champs.
11/6/21 vs Minnesota Whitecaps
Don’t get it twisted, while their full roster has yet to be announced the Whitecaps will be a force to be reckoned with. All-star and 2020 co-MVP Allie Thundstrom returns to the Land of Lakes looking to lead her team back to Isobel. One team stood in the way of a second championship: Boston.
2021’s Isobel Cup Final etched itself into history when the Pride took home Lady Isobel, on national television, as the last team in. While 2021’s opener in Lake Placid built anticipation for the rematch, this rematch means more. Lake Placid played the game that never was, November’s opener plays a full fledged Isobel Cup rematch. Amanda Boulier jumped ship and faces her former team out of the gate. Rumor has it (while unannounced) a former Pride member might make her return to Warrior as well in different colors.
Boston sets to raise their banner on November 6 against the team they beat for it. Minnesota is going to battle hard for this victory. It’s anyone’s game and one to watch.
11/13/21 @ Connecticut Whale
If you watched Tonight in the NWHL last season (and you should have), Connecticut was my favorite team to pick. Yes, it was because I got to play Brass Bonanza but that’s not the point.
Connecticut has shed its underdog demeanor and emerged as Cup contenders. A disappointed exit in last year’s Isobel Cup Semifinal puts them hungrier than ever. With key additions and subtractions this game is huge for both Connecticut and Boston.
The Whale face a real contender at home. Boston faces a real contender on the road. Both sides face a real test in their second weekend. Katelynn Russ and Kayla Friesen return home this weekend and hope to silence their old team.
12/4/21 vs Toronto Six
2021’s Cup Semifinal did not go according to plan for Toronto. After a historic opening campaign, the Six managed to take from their predecessor and claim the top seed in their first season. After a slow start, Toronto faced one roadblock. That roadblock was a revitalized Jillian Dempsey and the Boston Pride.
Boston and Toronto have this thing where they do rivalries. They’ll rekindle it in at Warrior in December. What should be a time of giving will quickly become a battlefield of top hockey players. Toronto managed to bring back Mikayla Grant-Mantis and Lindsay Eastwood. Cool. Then they causally felt like adding Saroya Tinker and a plethora of talent to take home a Cup.
Two star-studded rosters take to the ice December 4. They’ll battle 4 times within the regular season. It starts on December 4.
3/12/21 @ Toronto Six
Toronto at home. Oh boy. I said multiple times on Tonight in the NWHL (Wow. It’s almost like you should consider watching season 2), once Toronto gets to Canlan they’ll be a force. Canada’s only PHF holds a nations championship hopes on it’s shoulder. Two years after the folding of the CWHL, women’s professional hockey will be played in Toronto.
While Toronto will have home games under their belt, this will be the first time Boston takes a trip up North. If you haven’t been to either area in the last decade when it comes to hockey: buckle up. Especially considering the Pride eliminated the top-seeded Six during last season’s playoffs. Toronto fans will not be welcoming.
Nothing from the roster assessment previously changes. What does change is the playoff implications. This matchup rounds out the season and both sides look ready to contend for the Cup. Seeding will play a massive factor in this game. That makes it fun.
2021-2022’s campaign officially kicks off on November 6. This season looks to host a war in each game where none will come easy. While not mentioned, Metropolitan and Buffalo bolster huge games as well. Carly Jackson’s growth and Metropolitains unexpected end to last season creates two more dangerous threats. Boston has a difficult road to defend their title. I’m ecstatic about it.