The LPHF may be more severe regarding blows to the head, but a new regulation could give you a cold sweat.
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When the referee awards a penalty, the players of the offending team must remain on the ice until the next faceoff.
Both the Montreal Victoire and the Boston Fleet found themselves with three attackers and a defender shorthanded on Wednesday during the first exhibition game of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (LPHF) presented at the Denis-Savard rink.
“We couldn’t change and [Mikyla] Grant-Mentis has transformed into a defender, which I never want to see, because she’s there to score goals! joked Kori Cheverie, admitting that it could turn into chaos.
When the Victoire head coach was asked if she liked this idea, she replied in French and politely: “For now yes, but we will see”.
It only took a few seconds before Cheverie delivered her thoughts.
“I really value players who play at a disadvantage. But what role remains for these girls with this new rule? We are taking away their responsibilities,” she lamented.
Hilary Knight has already outwitted Ann-Renée Desbiens twice.
Photo MARTIN CHEVALIER
No cheating
As his Boston counterpart, Courtney Kessel, recounted, both teams tried little tricks, but the referees were on the lookout. Notably when goalkeeper Ann-Renée Desbiens – who gave way to Sandra Abstreiter after giving in twice in 40 minutes – voluntarily moved her net, the officials refused the change.
On the other hand, when a penalty is called just before a television break, the offending club benefits from additional rest.
Cheverie was informed of this new rule just a few days ago, after the start of training camp. She discussed it with her troop before the meeting.
“Everyone must be ready to take on this challenge,” confirmed Maureen Murphy, sole scorer of the Victory. And coaches must quickly decide whether to send an attacker or a defender in the event of a delayed penalty. We also talked about the possibility of involving the goalkeeper. We will discover the different options during the season.
“The goaltenders are super good in this league, so maybe it will give more chances to score goals on the power play and make the game more interesting,” said center Alexandra Labelle.
Laura Stacey was stunned after severe contact with Shay Maloney, but she remained in the encounter.
Photo MARTIN CHEVALIER
Robust gaming
Among the other regulations announced the day before, there is that for illegal hits to the head, while a major penalty and a game misconduct will be automatically awarded. Which is good news for an increasingly robust league. Laura Stacey and Mariah Keopple had small reminders against the Fleet, both having taken a few moments before getting back up after suffering hard-hitting hits.
“We expected that from Boston,” admitted Cheverie. But the priority is the safety of the players, who must learn to protect themselves.”
The recruits also got a taste of the LPHF style of play.
“I liked it, I like playing physical. I think it will be fun at this level with contacts,” mentioned Lina Ljungblom, who previously played in Sweden, where body checking is allowed.
Moreover, the young 23-year-old winger did well alongside Marie-Philip Poulin and Stacey, to the great joy of Cheverie, who liked her aggressiveness, particularly against Hilary Knight, author of a double in a victory 3 to 1 from Boston.
Lina Ljungblom tasted the medicine of Sidney Morin, of the Boston Fleet.
Photo MARTIN CHEVALIER
