FEBRUARY 5, 2024 — Toronto right wing Natalie Spooner, New York center Alex Carpenter and New York left wing/center Abby Roque have been named the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) ‘3 Stars of the Week’ for the week ending February 4.
FIRST STAR – NATALIE SPOONER, RW, TORONTO
Spooner claims first place on the list a week after being named the PWHL’s third star of the week. In her team's only game, Spooner catapulted Toronto to a 4-1 win over first-place Minnesota by recording three points and a game-high seven shots on goal. The 32-year-old scored twice, for the second game in a row, and added her first assist of the season by setting up captain Blayre Turnbull’s first PWHL goal. Just 16 seconds later, Spooner provided the extra insurance goal. In addition to her third-period performance, Spooner scored on the power play in the first period, remaining the only Toronto player to score on the advantage this season. With markers against Minnesota, the Scarborough, Ont., native now sits alone atop the PWHL in goals scored with seven.
SECOND STAR – ALEX CARPENTER, C, NEW YORK
In New York’s only game of the week, Carpenter provided the game-tying and game-winning goals to complete a comeback against Ottawa after her team trailed 3-0. Her tying goal came on the power play with just over three minutes remaining in the third period. The 29-year-old capped her afternoon by scoring the overtime winner, securing two points in the standings for her team. The tally was her fifth of the season and first game-winner. Carpenter added a game-high seven shots on goal and won 67% of her draws. Carpenter’s 11 points (five goals, six assists) lead the PWHL; she sits third in the league in goals and tied for second in assists.
THIRD STAR – ABBY ROQUE, LW/C, NEW YORK
Roque got her team’s comeback against Ottawa started on Sunday, scoring the first of New York’s three goals in just 1:39 in the third period. The forward then provided the primary assist on both the tying and winning goals. It was Roque’s patience that led to the tying goal— she held on to the puck during a scramble before finding linemate Alex Carpenter in the slot for a shot at a wide-open net. In overtime, Roque led the rush and found Carpenter once again, leading to the game-winner. Roque’s three-point effort was her first multi-point game of the season, bringing her season’s point total to six.
The ‘3 Stars of the Week’ are announced each Monday throughout the season and will 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 after five weeks are as follows:
1. Marie-Philip Poulin (MTL) = 60 Points
2. Alex Carpenter (NY) = 50 Points
T-3. Alina Müller (BOS) = 40 Points
T-3. Natalie Spooner (TOR) = 40 Points
5. Grace Zumwinkle (MIN) = 30 Points
T-6. Jade Downie-Landry (NY) = 20 Points
T-6. Brianne Jenner (NY) = 20 Points
T-6. Ella Shelton (NY) = 20 Points
T-9. Taylor Heise (MIN) = 10 Points
T-9. Abby Roque (NY) = 10 Points
T-9. Corinne Schroeder (NY) = 10 Points