Toronto Six win Isobel Cup to cap off big weekend for women's hockey in Arizona

Toronto Six captain Shiann Darkangelo got chills thinking about the implications of showcasing professional women’s hockey in Arizona.

Not only was she able to hoist the Isobel Cup after the Six defeated the Minnesota Whitecaps in a thrilling 4-3 overtime win to cap off the Premier Hockey Federation’s season, but she did so in a new, growing market.

“I think it’s super exciting to be able to come here in a different market that we haven’t played in before,” Darkangelo said. “Even some of the girls, I was able to go and skate with some of them, and knowing that that was the only women’s program that they had and it’s built, being able to go out there and inspire those girls and show them what they’re capable of, it’s awesome.”

The partnership between the PHF and the Arizona Coyotes for the event brought together both teams with the Arizona Kachinas, the only girls hockey association in the state. The day before the championship game, the teams spent time with several different girls youth programs.

Throughout the arena, Kachinas jerseys were prominently displayed in the stands and on the ice for pregame ceremonies and intermission events.

“It was really cool to see at the beginning of the game with the three flag bearers all Kachinas,” Whitecaps defender Amanda Boulier said. “That’s an organization that’s growing immensely here in Arizona and it’s great to take it to this market. Hopefully, we got some new fans that will watch the streams next season.”

The game itself followed the trend of the last six Isobel Cups where five games were decided by a single goal.

Both teams played cat and mouse for all three periods on goals as the Whitecaps twice trailed by a goal in the first two periods. The Whitecaps broke the trend in the third when forward Jonna Albers scored 20 seconds into the period, but Six defender Taylor Woods sent the game to overtime at the 7:56 mark.

During the 3-on-3 overtime period, both teams had a physical game unbarred by the officials. The Six showed greater control with a 7-1 edge in shots leading to forward Tereza Vanisova capitalizing off a turnover at 4:23.

With both teams coming from places far from Arizona, the crowd size didn’t reflect the unfamiliarity with hundreds creating an engaging atmosphere.

“I was shocked with the crowd, they were right into it. Just to hear the young girls and see them high fiving the girls as they’re going on and off the ice, that’s what we’re here for,” Six head coach Geraldine Heaney said. “We want to promote the game and promote the sport across the U.S. and Canada and the world. It’s great getting the young girls out and seeing the excitement and now they have something to dream about.”

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Toronto Six win Isobel Cup in big weekend for women's hockey in Arizona