May is generally a bustling period for professional sports in Boston, with the Bruins, Celtics, Red Sox, Revolution, and Patriots all seeking attention. However, this year sees the arrival of a new team – the city’s very own Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) franchise.
The as yet unnamed Boston team is gearing up for its first-ever playoff appearance on Thursday, marking a significant milestone for the squad and the league as a whole, which commenced its regular season in January.
As PWHL Boston embarks on this historic playoff run, the players are aiming to maintain the momentum from their successful inaugural season.
Key player Jamie Lee Rattray, a member of Canada’s 2022 Winter Olympics team, noted the substantial progress the game has made. Having previously played in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League and the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association, Rattray emphasized the professional treatment the team has received, from top-notch facilities to a high-quality on-ice product, a stark contrast to the past experiences of women’s hockey.
The robust fan attendance of nearly 400,000 throughout the PWHL’s regular season is a testament to the growing popularity of the league. While PWHL Boston experienced a mixed regular season, the team finished strong, winning four of their final five games, including a crucial 4-3 victory over Montreal, securing their playoff spot.
With the playoffs looming, team captain Hilary Knight expressed confidence in carrying forward the team’s late-season energy, highlighting the importance of momentum in the quest for postseason success.
In a departure from the traditional playoff format, the PWHL adopted an intriguing setup where the top regular-season finisher, Toronto, had the luxury of choosing its first-round opponent from the third- and fourth-place teams, resulting in a unique strategic twist.
With Boston set to face off against Montreal in the playoffs, the teams will be competing in a best-of-five series, which will see the first two games held in Montreal, followed by a potential return to Boston for Games 3 and 4 at the Tsongas Center in Lowell before concluding with Game 5 back in Montreal.
The ultimate prize at stake is the Walter Cup, named after noted sports figure Mark Walter, with the added incentive of securing critical bragging rights in what promises to be a hard-fought series.
As PWHL Boston enters this new chapter of an age-old rivalry with Montreal, the team is optimistic about maintaining their form following a break from international hockey, fully aware that anything can happen in the high-stakes realm of playoff hockey.