APRIL 22, 2024 — Montréal defender Erin Ambrose, Ottawa right wing/center Brianne Jenner, and Boston goaltender Aerin Frankel have been named the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) ‘3 Stars of the Week’ for the week ending April 21.
FIRST STAR – ERIN AMBROSE, D, MONTRÉAL
Ambrose is named first star of the week for the first time this season after the defender had five points (1G, 4A) in two games played last week, highlighted by a four-assist effort against Minnesota on April 18. Overall, Ambrose led all PWHL players in points and assists for the week, and her strong output moved her into first place in the PWHL for scoring among defenders with 15 points (4G, 11A) in 21 games played. In her team’s first game of the week on April 18, Ambrose was a key figure in a thrilling 4-3 comeback win over Minnesota in which the defender assisted on every Montréal goal in the game, including three on the powerplay. She became the first player in PWHL history with four assists in a game — and the first player to hit the four-point mark in a single game. In her team’s second game of the week — the record-breaking Duel at the Top in front of 21,105 at the Bell Centre on April 20 — Ambrose went from playmaker to goal-scorer, as the 29-year-old tied the game in the second period with a powerplay marker, her first of the season. Ambrose now sits tied for second in team scoring as well as in the assist category league wide.
SECOND STAR – BRIANNE JENNER, RW/C, OTTAWA
Jenner is named one of the PWHL’s three stars of the week for the third time in four weeks — she was named the second star for the week ending March 25 and was the third star for the week ending March 10. Ottawa’s captain played in only one game last week, against Minnesota, but she made it count, recording her first-ever PWHL hat trick. Jenner opened the scoring in the first period in a key matchup for her team—they entered the game one point behind Boston, who occupied the league’s final playoff position. She then added goals in the second and third period, leading Ottawa to a convincing 4-0 win against the league’s second place team. With the win, her team holds onto the final playoff position with four games remaining. Jenner’s three goals were the most among all PWHL players last week as the 32-year-old continued her ascent in the PWHL scoring race. After recording three straight multi-point games, and two or more points in five of her last six contests, Jenner now sits fourth in the league in points with 8-10—18 through 20 games played.
THIRD STAR – AERIN FRANKEL, G, BOSTON
Frankel is named the third star of the week for the second time this season after backstopping Boston to two regulation wins last week. With her team fighting for a playoff spot, Frankel posted a goals-against-average of 1.00 and a save percentage of .959, which helped her team earn six points in the standings — they now sit two behind fourth place Ottawa for the final playoff position. In her first game of the week, Frankel made 23 saves against first-place Toronto to secure a 2-1 win in regulation. The 24-year-old followed up that performance by making 24 saves against New York in another 2-1 win, keeping Boston in a tight playoff race with Ottawa. Frankel now sits second in the PWHL in goals-against-average, allowing just 1.94 goals-per-game in 16 starts. She’s tied for third in the league in wins (7), save percentage (.936%) and minutes played (925:52).
The ‘3 Stars of the Week’ are announced each Monday throughout the season and encompass games from the previous Monday through Sunday. Points will be awarded to each selection and will help determine rankings at the end of the regular season.
First Star = 30 Points
Second Star = 20 Points
Third Star = 10 Points
Standings:
1. Natalie Spooner (TOR) = 80 Points
2. Brianne Jenner (OTT) = 70 Points
3. Marie-Philip Poulin (MTL) = 60 Points
4. Daryl Watts (OTT) = 50 Points
T5. Kristen Campbell (TOR) = 40 Points
T5. Alex Carpenter (NY) = 40 Points
T5. Kendall Coyne Schofield (MIN) = 40 Points
T5. Alina Müller (BOS) = 40 Points
T9. Erin Ambrose (MTL) = 30 Points
T9. Claire Dalton (MTL) = 30 Points
T9. Kateřina Mrázová (OTT) = 30 Points
T9. Sarah Nurse (TOR) = 30 Points
T9. Grace Zumwinkle (MIN) = 30 Points
T14. Michela Cava (MIN) = 20 Points
T14. Jade Downie-Landry (NY) = 20 Points
T14. Aerin Frankel (BOS) = 20 Points
T14. Sophie Jaques (MIN) = 20 Points
T14. Ella Shelton (NY) = 20 Points
T19. Renata Fast (TOR) = 10 Points
T19. Kali Flanagan (Tor) = 10 Points
T19. Taylor Heise (MIN) = 10 Points
T19. Abby Roque (NY) = 10 Points
T19. Corinne Schroeder (NY) = 10 Points