Hello, women's hockey fans. Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner back on the microphones. Same duo, new location. That's right. We are bringing our women's hockey conversations over to Black Rosie Media.

Rachel is, gonna be, joining me here for today's show, but Black Rosie Media will be having at least a weekly episode, where we cover women's hockey, and we have a new show called at even strength. It is going to be your all access pass to all things women's hockey. We're talking PWHL. We'll dabble into NCAA and, of course, international ice hockey tournaments since Black Rosie Media is accredited for the Olympics. Grassroots, interviews, hot topics, you know, cultural intersection, we're doing it all.

And so excited to bring Rachel along for this first episode at even strength. Rachel, I know you were a little bit under the weather around the recent holiday here in The US. So how are you feeling?

Much better. You can actually hear me now, which is a change from a week ago. So that's good.

Well, we are excited to have you here at Black Rosie Media for this episode as we launch again our women's hockey podcast. And so for today's episode, folks, we, again, are introducing at even strength. We're gonna do a little hot and not. So we have some games. Every every team in the PWHL has played about at least three games now.

We have a few more going into this weekend before the rivalry series, or I should say the international break, which will include the rivalry series. We'll talk about that. And then, of course, we will pick our game of the week, coming up and, dive into a little bit of the Seattle Torrent and New York Sirens camp and start so far. Those two actually just went head to head here in Seattle, Rachel, so we'll have plenty to talk about. But when we look at the standings, I mean, when we did our, when we did our previews, when we were at the other network, we had concerns about Boston.

We had concerns about New York and even Toronto as well if if they were gonna be kind of an up and down team. And I guess they were like, okay. You know, whiteboard material. Because as things stand right now, Boston is at the top of the table. You've got Toronto, Minnesota, and New York rounding out that top four.

With their first ever win, outright win, the Seattle Torrent are now in five ahead of Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver. What is the most surprising both on the good and the bad here for you, Rachel?

Yeah. I think, you know, when we look at the expansion teams on paper, they look very, very, very good. But we have to remind ourselves that it takes a while for new teams to gel and develop chemistry. And it's not gonna be perfect from day one. I do expect things to get better for both of those teams moving forward.

I think the the bigger surprise is Boston right now. I think I am so thrilled for them. As a noted Boston sports hater, I think that, you know, losing Hillary Knight as a cornerstone piece of that team regardless of if you think they, you know, replaced her skill wise, right, and scoring wise in in expansion and the draft and all of that. But just from an emotional heart and soul of Boston pro women's hockey, for her to be gone, that, you know, that left a hole there. But I do think that also created some opportunity and, you know, for them to play with a little bit of edge, and they've been extremely good so far and and defensively playing almost lights out.

You know, they only have one goal against in three games, two shutouts. Like, incredible start to their season.

Yeah. And we we definitely never doubted Aerin Frankel. Right? We've talked about that one like, just, you know, never had a doubt there. I I I agree with you.

I think it's a new look. I think another team that I'm pleasantly surprised about. And, again, on paper, not necessarily, had questions because they're a younger team. I think they have a lot of speed. But you know that I've always had concerns about New York and their leadership.

But what we also have talked about in the past, Rachel, is that the moves that the New York team made, even just look at the draft, right, and all of the movement that they had in the draft, it seemed like this was a team that knew they had to course correct. And so similarly to what you were talking about with Boston, I mean, he let go of Alex Carpenter, Ella Shelton, Corinne Schroeder out the door. I mean, and on and on and on.

Abby Roque.

Abby Roque.. Exactly. And you're like, what is going on here? But I think what we're seeing, and this honestly is something that I've I've talked about in previous hockey women's hockey leagues, but I think what we're seeing now is it's not just about the names. Right?

You you have to get big names in the league on teams, But we're seeing now that these players are reacting and responding to teams built for them to be successful, for their skill set, and with a leadership team from the coaching staff and front office that knows how to utilize them because you had Abby Rock. You had Alex Carpenter. You had Ella Shelton, and it just felt like New York didn't know what to do with those players.

Right. I do think this sort of reset that the sirens have had you know, I watched both of their preseason games, and I was there for their home opener. So I've seen them, you know, try to build this system over three or four games watched solidly for this team. And I do think that this reset is so helpful for them, and it's building a system with these new players. And I think their draft picks are making the most impact on this team overall.

I mean, obviously, you know, Micah Sandy Hart as the captain, you know, leader of the blue line, extremely important and, you know, and has played well. But I think, you know, Taylor Girard has also played so well. Right? Third was waiting for her. Third line.

Like, you know, don't sleep on that third line for the New York sirens

because

I love it.

So good. So good. Right? And so I think that they're just creating a culture there that's different than was there before. And I think Sarah Filier is having bridged the two kind of cultures.

I think it's really interesting because she's able to take that leadership role in a way that she couldn't last year because there were too many other personalities and too many other quote unquote stars of women's hockey there for her to emerge as the number one. And now no even though she was the number one draft pick, you know, with with all those other players there, now she's the leader with all these other incredible hockey players that came in through the draft. And then you have your veteran support players. Like, they're put they're putting together something special. It may not come to fruition this year when all is said and done, but they're putting something together there.

Yeah. I love it. And we're gonna talk a little bit more about New York and definitely Seattle since you and I both in the last handful of weeks, really, have been able to follow these teams. So I

wanna get into talk about that last day. Oh,

yeah. Oh, I have thoughts. Oh, I have thoughts.

And I Speaking of Alex Carpenter.

Oh my goodness. But, so another team Kayle

Oh my god, Kayle. Anyway.

But Vancouver, you know I've been high on Vancouver. Mhmm. Not not figuring it out. Are dead Other than their overtime win against the aforementioned Seattle Torrent, they have struggled. And I think for me, the goals against is really concerning.

Right? And, you know, we're also gonna talk about Ottawa. We always talk about Ottawa, I feel like, because we are always trying to figure out Ottawa. But, you know, those two teams right now are the only teams with, you know, 10 plus goals against Ottawa charge 13. And we're gonna talk about that because I know we we love us some Gwyneth Phillips here.

We're gonna talk about that. And then the Vancouver Golden Eyes with 15 goals against, that that's that's gotta be better. So let's do a little hot or not. We'll keep talking about the standings and the teams, but with a little hot or not. Kind of alluded to this, but I'm gonna ask you for a definitive answer.

Hot or not, we'll go we'll start with the expansion teams. So let's start with Seattle. Hot or not right now, Rachel?

I'm saying hot. It's not a 100% for hockey reasons. It's also the vibes.

Vibes. Vibes are hot.

Vibes Vibes are very hot. Hockey has to catch up a little bit. I know they just had that amazing win, but still have to catch up a little bit, but the vibes are incredible.

Vibes are great. I agree with you, and so did Steve O'Rourke. I actually asked him first question after that game. You know, what are your overall thoughts? And he took a minute because of what you're saying.

Hockey reasons, but vibes are high. I mean, the intro, of course, they promo CJ, which is like, I love to see it. And, also, it hurts my heart, but that's another conversation perhaps for another podcast. But vibes are super high, especially because the boys club not playing great. Oh my god.

That Edmonton game. That was so brutal. I was just grateful. I was at an event. Actually, shout out to Rough and Tumble here in Seattle that just had their soft launch.

Today is their official open of their new location Friday. We're recording here on Friday, December 5. They have a new location in Columbia City, so shout out to them. If I had to watch that, I'm glad that at least there was a great DJ, a bingo, you know, a drag queen bingo leader there. Like, we were having a good time even though that was a terrible score for the.

Anyway, back to the women's hockey. Vibe's super high in Seattle. Very dramatic win. We know what their gold song is, like, all of the things. So I I think I'm I'm like, they're they're trending too hot.

They're not, like, properly hot right now. But yeah. As far as Vancouver, I think we know the answer. It's a knot.

It's a not.

It's a not.

Is for sure.

That's it. Okay. Go ahead. Well, mean you

hate to put it all on one person. Right? But Sarah Nurse being out is yes really tough for them.

That's a big

big loss for them. But it it's no excuse in terms of the overall quality of of play and the the lack of execution. And when like, for instance, when I saw them play against the New York sirens at the sirens home opener in person, after the game, I asked, Brian Idalski, the head coach. I was like, look. It was very clear that all of your offensive rushes were one and done.

Like, you never got second chances. And and he paused for a second and was like, that's fair. And and and it it was it was very indicative of what's going on there. Right? Is that, you know, they they have the pieces there.

They just aren't executing. And because if you can't, like, regain possession of the puck or don't have a system in place where you're gonna get multiple chances in a rush, Like, that's why you get odd man rushes going in the other direction.

And then, you know

And you give up goals. Yeah. Exactly. And it's not her fault. It is not her fault.

Yeah. Speaking of, our next hot or not topic is Ottawa, but very specifically, Ottawa defense. I mean, it's a not.

No. Or or not or lack thereof. Right? Yeah. I mean yeah.

Yeah. They are really struggling to, adjust defensively and contain. Right? Like, they are allowing they're kind of backing up into the zone. Right?

And just allowing other teams to skate into the zone and then start the defense in a lot of ways. Right? And like, that's not going to cut it. You got to like cut people off in the neutral zone right you got to get I mean it's so basic but you have to say you got to get active sticks in the neutral zone and try and cut the playoff before they get set up and I I think they know how to do that. I I have faith that they can do it.

They just haven't been.

They just haven't been doing it. And, I mean, unfortunately, this that's the name of the game when it comes to Ottawa. Like, they found a way to get to the the finals last year, and all of those games went to overtime. So there's some some bark, right, still left here, but the consistency, at least early on, seems to be an issue again. I'm actually gonna call an audible here because we already talked about Boston, but there is another topic that I am very curious to hear you actually talk a little bit more about.

So I'm gonna go hot or not heated rivalries.

Oh, hot. Very hot.

So hot right now.

I know it's about boys. Like, this is the women's hockey show. I understand that. But this show much like women's hockey is for the girls and the gays. So like and I've read the books too.

So let's be clear about that. It's spicy. It's fantastic. I am having a great time. I think they're doing a really good job with the adaptation as of this recording.

We've got three episodes in so far. You should absolutely watch Heated Rivalry. It's on Crave in Canada. It got distributed through HBO in The US. Hopefully, more places around the world for the rest of y'all moving forward.

But, yeah, it's a good time. It is a very good time. Shane and Ilya are in my heart and soul. But do not do not sleep on Scott and Kip. Scott Hunter.

Okay.

Scott Hunter of the New York admirals.

I have to catch up. I I am aware of heated rivalry. I've Ava and I have talked about it, like, in passing. I was definitely on a anti, you know, colonizer kick for the holiday that just passed. That's just my vibe.

And Ava was like, well, you know, you can support this. And I was like, you're absolutely right. So I have to check it out. I haven't read the books. Haven't seen the series yet.

But speaking of heated rivalries, we are going to, talk about the rivalry series coming up here. We have a roster for Hockey Canada. So they put out their roster this time first. We also have an official announcement, although I'm not sure any of us are surprised, about the Olympic head coaches for Hockey Canada. And, of course, we have a schedule.

We're also gonna talk a little bit about The US sweaters that were unveiled for the Olympics because, Rachel, we have to circle back to what was the most disgusting display in a heated rivalry situation that I have ever seen in the legend, the icon, Megan Bozak in a hockey Canada sweater. Sami Jo Small, you owe us here on The US side. You owe us. And so I better I better see you in studio in one of these New Jerseys. I jumped the gun there because I have strong feelings and thoughts.

But now let's get back to it. We've got the rivalry series coming up. So the PWHL will take a little bit of a break. We'll break that down in our next segment. But Hockey Canada rosters, we talked about this, Rachel, before again when we were on the other network, but we're here at Black Rosie Media now.

So let's recap. We know specifically with Hockey Canada that there were some players left off of the roster in the first two installments of the rivalry series, and it seemed like that was for rest purposes. Sarah Nurse at the time did make that roster but didn't suit up, which maybe was also rest. Of course, we just kind of alluded to it. She got injured in that first game against the Seattle Torrent, and it is officially listed, I believe, still as day to day.

But a tough loss, obviously, for Vancouver. We did see Hockey Canada, you know, play without her, but they were unsuccessful in getting a win in those first two games. So let's talk through the rosters. And Renee Debien, I think, is obviously the big name that was left off and now that we see returning to the Hockey Canada roster for this next installment.

Yeah. And we talked about it before where Hockey Canada was clearly using the first set of games as the audition games, where, you know, they played sort of the backbench or goaltenders in those games and maybe played some skaters that they were looking to see whether or not they're making the team. And then this time around, in this set of games that are gonna be played next week, it's more about building chemistry, solidifying what the final roster is gonna be for the Olympics. I think that's, you know, a really good strategy for them here. And I I think that, you know, unfortunately, it does mean that, you know, for their roster, they only have two college players.

Everybody else is a pro player at this point in the process. But, you know, just even looking at these names on this list, which has to get cut down, like, I do not envy those coaches and and having to cut any of these people.

I know. It's kinda wild. So, Clark is another player. If I remember correctly, we did not see on the roster the first time around. But players like Daryl Watts, I love how Daryl Watts has been playing.

Chloe Primorano is one of those college players. I think, I mean, has played really well in international competition. I mean, you know, definitely a younger player here. But if you need some young blood, definitely someone I'd I'm curious to see how she can kind of play with, you know, some of these folks. Renata Faust, Aaron Ambrose, Claire Thompson.

Nicole Gosling is an addition here, if I'm if I remember correctly, from rivalry series roster to rivalry series roster. Also, of course, we have Julia Gosling and Danielle Sardackney, who I've been able to catch up with here in Seattle. Kristen, excuse me, Kristen O'Neil. I believe Jocelyn The Rock is also new from the last time. Obviously, not new to Hockey Canada, but was not on that roster the last time.

And then joining, ARD is Emirates Mashmeyer and Kaylee Osborne, who has been looking really good for the aspirins. So, yeah, I think it's gonna be interesting to see how this instructs the Olympic, roster, as you said, does look though like Hockey Canada once again is gonna lean more on their veterans. Again, some of these names are going to be easy hall of famers, so it's not a bad issue. It's just a matter of as we continue to talk about women's hockey, especially with the North American teams, what is the right balance of mixing in young talent with some of these veterans. But, again, these veterans are in their prime looking good.

You know? So where does Primorano and Kaitlyn Kramer is the other NCAA player at Minnesota Duluth. Okay. We also have the Olympic coaches. Again, I don't think it's really a surprise here.

We have, of course, Troy Ryan is still leading with Corey Chevrier, Carolyn Willett, Britney Smith, Brad Kirkwood, all named to the staff. Lots of PWHL overlap. Of course, Troy Ryan in Toronto, you know, Carolyn Oulette with Montreal. You've got Corey Chevrey with Montreal. And then Brad Kirkwood is also with Toronto.

So, again, just wanted to mention this. Gina Kingsbury is still with Hockey Canada. We have talked about this before. Will PWHL impact what we start seeing as far as coaches at the national level? I don't think that we know just yet, but at least for this cycle, not surprised to see that Troy Ryan is still at the helm.

We did hear, though, from Troy Ryan that goes to the roster that we were just talking about. And another reason why it might be a stacked roster is because the first two rivalry series games, both won by The United States, were also played in The United States. And it does seem like at least some of the decision making, whether even just for travel alone, was to have some of your heavy hitters, some of your big names be available for the games in Canada.

Yeah. And, you know, I these these couple of games are gonna be fascinating to me because I think that just sort of the game of chess that these two teams play, especially given that, you know, there's some other countries that are trying to challenge for their dominance. And there's been, like, such a hyper focus between Hockey Canada and Hockey USA in terms of preparing rosters and building rosters to play each other Yeah. When they have to look wider than that now, I think. Yeah.

At least to a certain degree. And will any of that, like, affect these roster constructions when all is said and done?

Yeah. I I think it's gonna be really interesting to see. We don't have too much to talk about with regard to The United States except that, The United States well, The US made a kind of big deal of this, but we've also seen that other federations primarily kind of thinking or marketing it for the men, but have unveiled their jerseys. And we've talked about Hockey Canada unveiling their jersey. Unfortunately, we had to see it on Megan Bozak.

I still have not recovered. I I I just don't I did not know that I was gonna be so upset about that. And then I was like screaming, shout out again to rough and tumble, in rough and tumble because I could not believe I could not believe what I was seeing. But this is the jersey. One of these is the jersey, Rachel, that I fully expect to see Sami Jo Small or some other Canadian wearing on the broadcast for the rivalry series because we had to endure Megan Bozak wearing the new Hockey Canada jersey.

So that's my first thing that I wanna say. My second thing that I wanna say is, Rachel, I just don't know that USA ever gives enough variation for me personally. We did talk about this a little bit off air, and we talked about the swoosh, like, the swoop bang of The USA hockey days, which is, like, peak Angela Ruggiero era. So

Right. Right.

I guess it has changed a little bit. I guess I'm thinking more in the more recent history. I'm like, okay. It looks kinda how I I thought it was gonna look.

Yeah. I mean, there's, like, two or three looks, right, that you're gonna get. You're gonna get the WuXi one. You're gonna get this one for this year, and you're gonna get the shield, Right? That's in Right.

Like, in the shoulder. Right? Those are your three options for team USA. Yeah. And they're they're gonna just rotate through all of that.

Like, that's what we're looking at here. Yeah. And so, you know, the one thing that I do actually really like about these jerseys is the back because the font they're using for the nameplate is the sort of more modern looking Okay. That they pulled from the the jersey that I do not like that they're they used last time around that looks sort of, but that's the one element I did actually like the nameplate and and the font there. And the really, like, bold red numbers on the back, I really like.

Yeah. That's fair.

So

For visibility, very fair. Very fair.

Yeah. Yeah. So I gotta give them that.

That's that's fair. Also, just before we recorded, US also announced their staff. Again, not terribly surprising here. We've got, of course, John Roboleski. I feel like I always say his name a little weird.

Sorry to you, John. You know, Sherry Dickerman, Brent Hill, Josh Stiba, and Ali Altman who are on the staff. No real surprises here. You know, not as much overlap in, you know, former women's players as we see sometimes with Hockey Canada. They really bring their stars back to the national team.

With USA Hockey, we started to see that, like, at the eighteens and otherwise, but it's taken a little while. I think also maybe that's because USA hockey players don't necessarily retire and then go off to be coaches. They do other things. So I'm I'm always curious to see how that's gonna go. But also super excited that, we will see, the US team open up against Czechia.

You know

how I feel about team Czechia. I'm very curious to see how how they perform. Okay. But if you wanna tap in You know what, though? Go ahead.

I will say in the future, I expect Brianna Decker to be a I think so too. Coach.

Well, she's coaching now on the p dub. Yeah. We've seen her really do a great job as a as a top assistant again. And as, I think right. She was she was the bench boss proper for, I think, the eighteens a cycle or two ago.

So, yeah, I think you're right. I think Bri Decks is a shoe in.

And I think that we are due to love, we are losing Julie Chu in that conversation because I think she would be a team USA coach were it not for her life which I do not begrudge her that at all but her life is in Canada and that's

We lost a good one there.

We did.

We love you, Julie.

She's a great coach. Just wanna acknowledge that.

You're you're you can always come back to USA hockey. Just saying. The door is open. And we understand respect your choices.

Yep. Exactly.

Also, do you have an extra bedroom? I don't know. Just just for future reference, if needed.

We'll babysit. We'll absolutely babysit.

Absolutely babysit. You need someone to pick the pucks up off the ice after practice. I got you. No problem. Lunch run's done.

Whatever whatever you need, Julie, we got you. Just adopt us. And the great thing is that we're already adults, so, like, we

don't have to do much.

Just saying. December 10, 9PM eastern time. We'll just stick with 9PM eastern time, 7PM local, and the thirteenth, also 9PM. Both games at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. And, again, Canada is down two games here looking to even it up, as a good little, you know, tune up before they announce the official rosters.

I cannot believe we are in December, which means it's almost the end of the year, which means it's basically almost January, which means we're pretty much knocking at the door for the Olympics, which is interesting, Rachel, because, apparently, Italy is not prepared for an Olympic ice hockey tournament. For those who maybe do not know, NHL ice is technically different a different size than Olympic ice. The difference is most pronounced when you look behind the goal, right, especially the crease. There's more space behind the crease, and there's more space between the the face off dot and the wall and the half wall. So it's wider.

It's wider and longer. We're hearing, Rachel, that the ice sheets for the Olympic tournament in Italy are going to be shorter than the 200 feet that we use in the NHL, which means it's significantly shorter than what is Olympic size and Olympic regulation. I just don't and all of that countdown to the Olympics, and this is what the ice hockey players are gonna have to deal with on the women's and men's side.

Yeah. Unfortunately, the women are gonna bear the brunt of this because their tournament is first. And so not only are they are they gonna be dealing with a rink that's not regulation size, like North American regulation size, but it's also unfinished. And so they could be dealing with, you know, ice, like freezing temperature issues. They could be dealing with uneven boards.

They like, there are so many things that they could be dealing with that are good. They're gonna be used as, the test subjects, and they'll have a whole week to work things out for the men later on. But it's, like, completely ridiculous, and it's unfair that the women have to shoulder the burden of being, like, test subjects for an unproven rink.

And it's just like, how does the IIHF, but more specifically, the IOC, how do they let this happen? Because I can tell you, I was in Paris for the Summer Olympics and happened to cross paths with someone who I knew would be also attending the Winter Olympics. It was actually an event speaking of Angela Ruggiero that she was hosting. And we were talking, and it's like, yeah, the ice is not ready. So that was what?

'24. Here we are, you know, in in 2025 over a year later, and we're we are are we're time crunched. So what are what are the options here? Because you mentioned all of the dimensions being different. The ice, it can impact the ice.

Hockey players know bad ice. They will be very vocal about bad ice. But the problem is not just, like, cosmetic. This can cause injury. It can cause injury, let alone how it can impact the speed of the game, the the depth perception, all of those things, defense.

You know, I love me some defense. But how do you do gap control?

Yeah. Yep. Even things as basic as wrapping the puck around the boards. Right? Percent.

And if there's even, like, something off with those baseboards, right, where pucks could bounce off in weird directions, you know, are they are puck over the glass. You know, things are gonna are are not gonna operate fully and accurately according to people's instinct, and it's gonna be a problem. It's going to a

Yeah. And so, you know and and how does that impact if at all? Are are are the teams gonna get extra ice time to accommodate the the fact that they're gonna have to get used to, you know, new and different and listen. You can you can make the argument, I suppose, if you wanted, oh, well, you know, there's always every barn, so to speak, is a little different. Sometimes it's it's heated or technically cooled a little different, all kinds of things.

And, yes, that's why you have practices. That's why in a lot of sports, you'll see athletes literally kind of and even hockey players, they'll walk off of their skates. They'll walk around the rink and take a look, get a feel for things. But those are, like, little cosmetic things. Like, there is this viral video of, Steph Curry doing just a warm up, and he, you know, botched a dribble.

And his first instinct was, oh, there must be something wrong with the court because I don't I don't just dribble wrong, you know, in his warm up. And then lo and behold, he found a dead spot. But that's why you do those walk throughs. But now it's shorter ice. It's potentially temperature and ice issues.

This is gonna be you know, how do you work that in? I think they should make those accommodations because I would assume in a big tournament that you have those things already set. You have your practice times, when you can do your walk throughs, etcetera. Is that gonna be delayed? Because at this point, the walk throughs, if they're gonna stick on this ice and maybe not move to Switzerland and just for the record, like, is relatively close to where the Olympics is because of where they are in Italy.

But we know Orders. Yes. Exactly. They have ice sheets that are regulation because of a lot of the, men's and women's pro teams that play there. So do you move the Olympics?

Like, we're seeing for thinking of LA twenty eight, they've already announced that two events, one water event and also softball are gonna be in Oklahoma because they don't have facilities that they feel can accommodate the tournament. Everything from the crowds to, again, the performance on the fields or in the water. They're both coming to Oklahoma, but that's been announced already. This is literally weeks, Rachel. We've got weeks and and nothing but it's not ready, but we're going ahead.

Like, this just seems wild to me, not the storyline that I'm looking forward to. But, unfortunately, we're gonna have to keep talking about it until we figure out if there's a resolution. Like, I I just feel like they have to say something more than, oh, well, it's just shorter. Like, that's not a that's not an answer. That's not that's not sufficient for what is supposed to be the premier international tournament in the world.

Like, that's just not that's not okay. Yeah. Okay. Anyway You

had feelings about that. I mean, I have feelings about it too. You had strong feelings.

Like, let the do something, people. Do something, but they don't care. It's a money grab. Anyway, we have a few other things that we wanna wrap up, including getting you ready for what will be the the final few games before this break for the rivalry series. Also, start with just giving some love to Carla McLeod.

We know we talked about Ottawa, and there are some questions as far as that team. It's early, so they'll have some chances to fix it. But wanted to just talk about this. Ava and I talked about it a little bit on a Seattle touring specific episode, but Carla MacLeod did, you know, make public her diagnosis of breast cancer. And, you know, she has, of course, talked to her doctors and through the teams through her team, excuse me.

And from everything that she's been saying publicly, the good news, Rachel, is that it does seem that she has a positive outlook and prognosis here, that they are able to get her on a treatment plan. A part of the reason that she announced it is that she will have to miss some games, and she's already missed one as the bench boss so that she can stay on track with her treatment. I love the fact that you can tell that hockey means so much to her that she almost it sounded almost like she was apologetic that she was gonna miss these games. I mean, it is her job, but also it's, like, her health and her life. So, I think the support has been overwhelming.

They played Toronto recently, and it was their stick it to cancer night. We've talked about Erica Howe and her diagnosis as well that she announced as the league got started. So this was an opportunity specifically to support those two players that have ties to to, you know, the sport, this league very specifically, but then also other people. I did think it was funny on the broadcast. Toronto did win that game.

Ottawa scored first, but as we talked about, they have some difficulties in the defensive zone at times and defensive discipline. But what was funny is the broadcasters said that, Natalie Spooner, you know, usually on those, hockey fight cancer type events, it'll be like, play for, and then you write someone's name. So Natalie Spooner said, I play for Carla McCloud, and the broadcast was like, you know, Carla might say, maybe next time don't play for me. I'm gonna play against me.

She was mic'd up, I believe, too.

Yeah. Yeah. Mhmm.

Which had some fun content.

Yeah. I mean, does. Always always a good time. Spooner's a good time. Her game is just so sharp.

She's such a like, it's so much fun because, like, you see her. She's got these big bright eyes. She's always smiling. And her game, if you saw her picture and then saw a video of her game, I don't know that many people would match those two up because her game is is tenacious. It is not polite.

It is not bubbly. It is direct. It is down your throat, and it's like, I'm a steam engine coming. What are you gonna do about it? In the most respectful way.

Because it's not like she's a goon or anything. She's just a very skilled, very strong hockey player. So, again, you know, Carla, of course, we're with you. Anyone else who's battling with breast cancer, any form of cancer, it is quite the doozy. My family has been impacted a few different times, so we're definitely here for you.

I did wanna talk though a little bit about this Seattle, New York sirens game that we saw. From my perspective in Seattle, we're coming into second home opener, no goals scored at home. Everyone was dying to hear what the goal song was gonna be, let alone who would be the the one to make history at Climate Pledge Arena. And of course, it was Alex Carpenter and Hillary Knight involved. So the veterans getting it done.

What I did not have written, though, is on a night where you're playing the sirens, formerly where Corrine Schroeder played, that instead of Schroedzen net, we get the rookie, Hannah Murphy, going up against a team that at the time was one of the best offensive teams and probably still is. Right, Rachel? One of the best offensive teams in the league. Talk about, coming up under pressure. Hannah Murphy had a fantastic game.

I was a little bit miffed. She wasn't a higher star. I get it. Like, a game winner. Okay.

Hillary and I did have two points. Okay. But, also, the rook kept the sirens excuse me. The rook the rook kept the torrent in that game against the sirens to even set them up for the game winning heroics, which we have to also note, Rachel, happened because the Torrent were given a five minute power play, a major penalty assessed to Kalti on a hit to Wilgren in the corner, and that really changed the game. It was effectively a power play for what was the remainder of the game, and that's how the Torrent were able to get their two goals.

Yeah. I think, you know, from a a siren's perspective, one of the things that I've been keeping an eye on so far this season is Kristýna Kaltounková Right? Mhmm. First overall draft pick, tremendous skill, very physical.

You know? And I think that, you know, one of the things that I talked to her specifically about in the preseason, you could see her trying to test out where the line is and what these refs are gonna call. Right? Yeah. And we've seen that in the first couple of games, you know, few games that she's played.

She's continued to do that, and she's Yeah. You know, she's gotten called on some pretty key penalties so far, and it's because she just not she hasn't quite adjusted to where that line is. Now to be fair to her, the officiating is inconsistent in this

Oh my gosh. So inconsistent.

So but there is no question that the call was correct on

It was. It was correct.

In this game. Like, it was the right call, but this is something that, you know, you gotta just put a little asterisk next to her with this and keeping keeping an eye on it because she just hasn't figured that out yet. Is are the other aspects of her game generally very good? Yes. But this is the you know, she is looking real good out there, and that line is a lot of fun.

Right? Right? But that being said, you know, she's gotta keep an eye on that and figure out how to pull back or, like, when to be more aggressive like that and when you can't. And you can't do it when an official is right there either.

Yeah. And it's, again, something that we've talked about on the show before or we've talked about together on our previous show before is that this want to make women's hockey through the PWHL a little more physical. I I don't have an issue with it. And the I think we're seeing that the transition and also the interpretation is taking much longer than I personally would like because the officials are getting used to it. As you've mentioned, Kalti is not the only player having to assess and judge what this line is, especially again, we're in an Olympic year, so they're also thinking and prepping with their national teams about how to restrain and figure out that line when it comes to international play, which is different than what we sometimes see in a league that's based in a specific country like Canada or The US or Russia or Sweden.

You know? Like, there's all of these different variables including that. Good grief. I was at the two sirens I keep saying that. I was at the two Seattle home games, and the officiating was

Like, inconsistent as being generous.

I was gonna that right. I I I was like, let me pick my words carefully. I I I will say noticeable is, like, the bare minimum of kindness that I can pro provide. It was definitely noticeable, including the third goal in the first home game. There was a review even though it was clear as day a goal.

Like, I don't know what happened there. There were just some weird reviews. There's been a the pacing has been very strange in the two home games in Seattle that I went to, but I'm with you. We know that hockey overall across the board is asking players to be more aware of when they're making hits because in that case, Anna Wilgren had no space, no time to defend herself from going into the board at at the curve at that, head first, which is extremely dangerous. And so that part of it, when you look at it, like you said, they got that part right on that specific call.

Big, big break for a a Seattle Torrent team who offensively the finish is is just not there. And even in the goals that we saw, they were scrappy goals. They they had numbers, of course. They're on a power play, so they were able to to, you know, pepper Osborne there. It was just a, you know

My heart broke for her because it was not her fault. That was like defensive failures. Oh. Oh, 100. Defensive breakouts.

You lose a mark. You don't clear the crease, and that's how those two goals happen. I'm pretty sure we know for sure Hilary Knight was on the ice when she scored. And Carpy, it was like a a rebound, and it just it it came out, and it went right back. So those are tough ones for Osbourne who had a fantastic game, has had a fantastic season so far.

I do even though I did miss Corrine Schroeder and Nett, the storyline of the two Colgate goaltenders in what was an epic goaltending battle, I feel like, again, is going underappreciated because it was Alex Carpenter and because it was Hilary Knight that scored. But those two players, those two goaltenders had a phenomenal, phenomenal game. And as you mentioned, Osbourne was effectively two minutes or if you really break it down twenty two seconds, there was a twenty two second sequence that ruined a shout out for Osbourne, which would have been very deserved.

I know. I know. Like, that's what was so heartbreaking about that game. Like, I just I don't know. It it was it was just very, very tragic for Kayle Osbourne because she played so well in that.

Very impressed. Very, very impressed goaltender to watch. You know, we love talking about goaltenders when you and I hop on the mic, Rachel, and we will have opportunity to do that again. But as we wrap up this first ever episode of at even strength on Black Rosie Media, let's get folks ready for what we have coming up. Again, we're recording on Friday.

So we we have today, as of the day, this will be public, Saturday, December 6, a 3PM game. Vancouver hosting the New York sirens, Pacific Coliseum. Great crowd. And I think we're also seeing that Vancouver is realizing that the venue is not necessarily up to date with what PWHL fans are expecting. Everything from, like, the bathrooms, they're making some more so they're turning some men's bathrooms into

I was like, what is happening?

It's I know. It's like too not too many men anymore. Too many women or you know? Like, I so and then also, like, other things. Conversation, I wanna put a pin in, especially because of what's happening in Ottawa.

I think we absolutely have to talk about facilities eventually. We're hearing that there's gonna be expansion getting us to 12 teams in the next two or so seasons is what we're hearing. So how much will facilities play a part, and what is the ask? But, anyway, we'll get into that. But Vancouver will host New York.

I think that's gonna be a really interesting game. Vancouver really has to get some giddy up, and they're going against, again, a team that really has a command of what they're trying to do offensively. Can Vancouver learn from what Seattle did? Although, I don't know, like, I don't know. It was an odd game because New York, I thought, really, again, had the better chances.

They just they got goalied. That's what it is. So Vancouver's gonna need to really put on a good performance there. And then you've got Sunday, December 7, 12PM Eastern Standard Time, Montreal hosting Toronto. Which game do you think will give us more fireworks?

And I'll let you interpret how you define fireworks, Rachel, but which game, are you circling as the game to watch?

I mean, I wanna watch the frost at Boston, like, on Sunday.

Oh, that's right. I'm sorry. I didn't mention that one. Yes. Thank you.

Yeah. Because, obviously, you have the team that's currently in first place against the defending champions who are are playing generally very well. Mhmm. So far this season. So I I think this is gonna be a good test for Boston, and it's the last game before we go into the rivalry series break.

So, hopefully, it'll be a good note to go out on.

Yes. I'm glad that was your game to watch because I forgot to mention that one is on Sunday, December 7 at 3PM Eastern Standard Time. So you've got Saturday, 3PM, Vancouver hosting New York, Sunday at 12PM Eastern Montreal hosting Toronto, and then Rachel's pick for game of the weekend, Boston hosting Minnesota. I agree with you there. You know, I I think that I'm gonna take Montreal, Toronto, especially because if I'm not mistaken, you know, the the well, here here's the thing.

Toronto in a better place than Montreal right now as of now when it comes to the standings. Super early, though, in the season. Things are gonna change around. But I think Toronto is coming off of a great win. They're in that second spot right now.

Montreal in six. Don't imagine that they'll stay there. But something that we mentioned last season, Rachel, when you and I were talking, is that Montreal was able to stay at the top of the table because they were getting points in overtime, specifically getting wins. And I think Montreal is gonna wanna start to position themselves similarly again so that they don't have to do an overhaul or like we've seen Ottawa do, we've seen Minnesota do, and and really just kind of position themselves a little higher. Or alternatively, positioning themselves in the top four spot hasn't always benefited Montreal.

They still have not made a final. So maybe they do wanna kinda rope a dope a little here and play a little in the back. No. I'm kidding. I'm sure that is not the Kori Cheverie plan.

But I think it's gonna be interesting to see if Montreal can get some points back here against the Toronto team that, I think they're finding their stride. Again, Natalie Spooner looking great. Daryl Watts is always a player that I root for. And we got to see Elaine Chuli get a win, her first win in a Toronto Scepters jersey. I love that we got to see her a lot earlier in the season than we did when she was with Montreal.

So that's my pick. I don't know that she gets the the the game again, but I wouldn't be opposed to having Elaine Chuli go up against Montreal. I'm just saying. Just saying.

That could be good.

Give us give us what we want. She had a great performance against Ottawa. So yeah. And Renee Dempient against Elaine Chuli in that. I would love to see it.

Alright. Those are the games we have coming up. And then, of course, the league will take a break getting ready for rivalry series, but we will be here, still planning to post as we did on our other platform on Saturday mornings. So, this is again at Even Strength, part of Black Rosie Media, Rachel Donner joining me for the first episode. We hope to have you back, Rachel.

We have some other contributors that you've probably seen, on Black Rosie Media that will join us as well. But, as always, we appreciate you tuning in. You can, subscribe to Black Rosie Media. Follow us on social media, all social media channels, and we'll be right here every Saturday morning with At Even Strength, which is a deep dive into women's hockey. For Rachel Donner, I am Erica L.

Ayala, and we will catch you on the next episode. Peace out, women's hockey fans. Enjoy the games.