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GAME RECAP: SHELTON SCORES HISTORIC GOAL, NEW YORK DEFEATS TORONTO IN INAUGURAL PWHL GAME

by amclellan
PWHL logo with thepwhl.com written undernearth.

TORONTO, ON (January 1, 2024) – The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) officially kicked off its inaugural season on Monday, with New York topping Toronto by a score of 4-0 in a sold out Mattamy Athletic Centre in Downtown Toronto.

Ella Shelton scored the first-ever PWHL goal on a shot from the point off a draw won by teammate Alex Carpenter at 10:43 of the first period, and New York never looked back.

PWHL – New York vs Toronto, January 1, 2024, Photo Credit: PWHL

After a scoreless second frame, Carpenter kicked off the third period with a goal assisted by Paetyn Levis and Chloé Aurard at the 2:53 mark, which gave New York a 2-0 lead. Jill Saulnier and Kayla Vespa added the final two goals for New York at 4:57 and 7:42 respectively.

Corinne Schroeder finished the game with a 29-save shutout, another PWHL first. Toronto netminder Kristen Campbell made 24 saves in the loss.

Billie Jean King, sports icon and PWHL Advisory Board Member, performed the ceremonial faceoff with PWHL Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations — and 4-time Olympic Gold Medalist — Jayna Hefford.

The two teams play again in just four days, as New York hosts Toronto for their home opener at Total Mortgage Arena on Friday, January 5.

Notes:

  • The answer to the future trivia question, who scored the first goal in PWHL history? Ella Shelton of PWHL New York—Who assisted on the first goal in PWHL history? Alex Carpenter.
  • More PWHL firsts:
    • First shutout: Corinne Schroeder
    • First face-off win: Alex Carpenter (PWHL New York)
    • First shot: Ella Shelton (PWHL New York)
    • First save: Kristen Campbell (PWHL Toronto)
    • First penalty: Rebecca Leslie (PWHL) Toronto, slashing
    • First team win: PWHL New York
  • New York scored three goals within a span of 4:49 in the third period.
  • Toronto went 0/4 on the Power Play—New York went 0/2.
  • Finals shots were 29-28 for Toronto—Toronto outshot New York 16-4 in the second period.
  • Two players making their professional hockey debuts got on the scoresheet today: Chloé Aurard picked up two assists, and Paetyn Levis got the primary assist on New York’s second goal.
  • Chloé Aurard became the first France-born player to play professional women’s hockey in North America.
  • Total attendance: 2,537 (Toronto sell-out #1).