RECAP: PWHPA’S Dream Gap Tour Continues Momentum in Chicago

The PWHPA made their mark in Chicago at Fifth Third Arena and made another moment in history at the United Center by becoming the first professional women’s hockey game ever played on the Chicago Blackhawks home ice.  As this is the second tour stop, with no known future dates for a third, Team Women’s Sports Foundation (New Hampshire region) looked to add another win to their stats after winning by just one goal at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Team Adidas (Minnesota Region) Abby Roque went into Chicago as the Marsblade scoring leader with 6 points (3 goals and 3 assists) and she was the player to watch in her second week as a pro.

Game 1

Team Adidas 4 Team Women’s Sports Foundation 1

Team Adidas wasted no time getting pucks in the back of the net as Abby Roque opened up the game with the first goal and was followed by teammate Maddie Rofles shortly after. Kendall Coyne-Schofield scored the lone goal in the second period and Abby Roque ended her night by scoring a second goal.

Team Women’s Sports Foundation’s Brianna Decker scored the only goal of the night and was assisted by Amanda Kessel.

“[…] I have been just working hard […], its just trying to play simple and I think that’s honestly been my best asset was just trying to do the little things hopefully the big things come with it and I’ve been getting lucky with some bounces that have lead to some points for me. “, Abby Roque detailed in a post game press conference.

Game 2

Team Adidas 6 Team Women’s Sports Foundation 2

Team Adidas expressed dominance early on as Kendall Coyne-Schofield opened up the game by landing the first goal and her second goal of the weekend. Hayley Scamurra with Team Women’s Sports foundation answered back with a goal, tying the game.

As the game continued, Kelli Pannek’s goal put Team Adidas right back in the lead followed by Lee Stecklein scored on a power play making it 3-1 Team Adidas.

Headed into the third, Amanda Kessel closed the gap as she scored a goal early on only to be answered back by Hilary Knight with a goal to keep Team Adidas ahead. Sydney Brodt put another goal on the board for Team Adidas, making it her first goal for the Dream Gap Tour and finally to end the game, Hilary Knight scores her second goal of the day.

WATCH: @HilaryKnight meets with Alexis Miller after her 2-goal performance for Team @adidashockey ⬇️@NHLBlackhawks | #SDGT pic.twitter.com/DoOWGaAfVJ

— PWHPA (@PWHPA) March 7, 2021

KEY MOMENTS AROUND THE RINK

• Kendall Coyne-Schofield had a special and personable moment as she returned to United Center in Chicago where she first began her ice hockey career as a member of the JuniorHawks in 1997. She shared this experience in a feature article  where she details her various times attending this rink and how she always felt she ‘belonged’ at the United Center.

Catch my return to the United Center ice at 2pm on @NBCSports. So much has changed in the women’s game since the first time I stepped on my hometown team’s ice, but it’s still not enough. That’s why the @PWHPA is making history & blazing a path for future generations. My story ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/BHBJLFtuGA

— Kendall Coyne Schofield (@KendallCoyne) March 6, 2021

“It was exciting, it was even more exciting to be able to get that pass from Savannah Harmon who has had a similar path as I have in our hometown here in Chicago, that made it a little bit extra special, ultimately giving our team the lead and capitolizing on that power play was so important […]” the two-time Olympian said about scoring in the second period.

Featured Image Chicago Blackhawks Photo c/o PWHPA