6 Takeaways from Week 3 of PWHL: Unbeatable Boston, Video review woes

As we head into the first international break of the PWHL season, there’s plenty to talk about. From stellar individual performances and teams establishing themselves as contenders to concerning issues with how the league operates, the third week of the 2025-26 campaign had some notable moments.

Let’s look back at some of the biggest stories in the week that was.

Cue the Jeopardy music

One of the notable rule changes heading into the 2025-26 season was the removal of the Coach’s Challenge, meaning any and all video reviews would be initiated by the league. However, despite some optimism that the PWHL would improve how effective video reviews were, there are glaring issues that have carried over from the first two seasons.

In Sunday’s matchup between the Montreal Victoire and Toronto Sceptres, there were two reviews on a pair of potential goals for the Victoire. In the second period, it appeared that Montreal scored to take a two-goal lead. However, a review found that captain Marie-Philip Poulin had a distinct kicking motion, leading to the goal being disallowed.

The review didn’t take that long, which, at first, seemed to indicate that the officials and the Central Situation Room were okay with Poulin deflecting the puck with her skate. However, the reversed call made me scratch my head, wondering what was wrong with the play.

Then, later in the third, Poulin’s partner, Laura Stacey, scored a slick goal on the power play. Yet, that led to another lengthy review, which seemingly just stalled the game. The CSR thought Victoire forward Natalie Mlynkova interfered with Toronto goaltender Raygan Kirk, even though she seemed far from making contact with the netminder until after the puck was in the net.

One of the biggest problems that has plagued how video reviews commence in hockey (both PWHL and NCAA) is how egregiously long they take, regardless of the type of play. Fans have been very vocal about their displeasure with the elongated reviews. Maybe the PWHL could follow the NHL’s approach and put out a release for the reason for video reviews and the reasoning behind their decisions.

Nobody beating Boston

Three weeks into the season, and the best team in the PWHL is…the Boston Fleet?

The team, many of us were knocking down a peg after losing so many players last offseason, has found a winning formula early on. Heading into the pause, the Fleet are the only team in the league that’s undefeated, winning each of their first four games.

The star of the show so far has been Aerin Frankel. The Green Monster hadn’t given up a goal on home ice until the team’s 4-1 win over the Minnesota Frost at Agganis on Sunday, and has as many goals against as shutouts…two. It was widely known that Frankel was going to be key to Boston’s success, and she’s the reason the team sits at the top of the standings.

The Fleet are far from lighting up the scoreboard, having just 11 goals scored thus far, but they’re getting timely scoring from many players, including captain Megan Keller, who leads the team with four points thus far.

We still have a long way to go, and we’ve seen how momentum can shift for any team in the PWHL, but the Fleet have found a formula for success. The challenge will be whether the squad can keep it going for the final 26 games.

Newhook is a player

One player who has been a rather surprising contributor is Abby Newhook. Coming out of Boston College, no one knew what to expect from the rookie in her first season. Yet, the St. John’s, N.L. native has proven that she will be an important piece for the Fleet moving forward. She has scored in each of the team’s past three games, including being credited with the game-winner against the Vancouver Goldeneyes last Wednesday.

There’s a lot to like about Newhook’s game. She can skate and handle the puck, but isn’t afraid to work her way to the front of the net, making her an essential piece on the team’s power play.

Vancouver can only win on home ice?

I, for one, thought highly of the Goldeneyes heading into their first season. However, the team made some of us look like fools when they lost all three games on their recent road trip, scoring just two goals over that span. It made it look like that, maybe, Vancouver was just hype.

The team found a way to respond in a big way this past Saturday. Just one week removed from getting trounced 5-1 by the New York Sirens, the Goldeneyes returned the favor with a convincing 4-0 win, making them perfect at the Pacific Coliseum thus far (albeit, after just two games).

What really caught my eye was how Vancouver played with some vigor and more confidence in front of the home crowd. Regardless of whether they were outshot by the visitors, the Goldeneyes jumped out early and kept it that way for the rest of the game. Maybe it’s because the team is the primary tenant in the renovated barn, but so far, so good for Vancouver on home ice.

Stick save(s), and a beauty

We saw a couple of dandy saves last week that went viral across the PWHL.

In the first Battle of Ontario this season on Thursday, Ottawa Charge netminder Gwyneth Philips made a ridiculous save on Toronto Screptres captain Blayre Turnbull, reaching back with her goal stick, barely hanging on for the unreal stop.

Unfortunately, it didn’t help the Charge get the win, as the Sceptres came back to grab a 3-1 victory.

Then, last Saturday, Goldeneyes netminder Emerance Maschmeyer made a highlight-reel save of her own on none other than Sirens star forward Sarah Fillier. Fillier thought she had an easy tap-in to put her team on the board, but her Team Canada teammate said no.

It was part of a shutout performance for Maschmeyer, who stopped all 28 shots she faced.

Britta Curl continues to make friends

One of the league’s most polarizing figures continues to find herself in the news, but not for the best reasons.

Frost forward Britta Curl saw her early-season point streak come to an end in Sunday’s loss to the Fleet. However, she did get in on the scoresheet in a different way. In the dying seconds of the game, the 25-year-old took a run at Fleet defender Rylind MacKinnon. When Curl-Salemme turned to face MacKinnon, Boston forward Laura Kluge came to her teammate’s aid, giving a high shot to the Walter Cup champion.

The two tangled for a minute before penalties were assessed. While Curl was handed a measly two-minute minor for roughing, Kluge was given a five-minute major for cross-checking and a game misconduct. The crowd at Agganis cheered Kluge as she skated back to the dressing room.

It’s no secret how opposing fans view the second-year forward. Curl, who was suspended three times last season for other physical acts, has been bombarded by boos and jeers in her young pro career. Earlier this season, she was involved in an altercation with Seattle Torrent defender Megan Carter, which could be traced back to last year, when Curl was suspended for hitting the then-Toronto Sceptres rookie in the head.

All this to say, despite one year being under her belt, it seems like fans around the PWHL, and even some fellow players, aren’t fond of Curl’s playing style.

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