PWHL Players of the Week: Carpenter, Ambrose and Chuli come up big after all-star break

Though it was a short weekend of action, there were plenty of notable performances across the Professional Women’s Hockey League.

Let’s look at the few who stood out over the three games after the league’s all-star break.

Read last week’s DFO Players of the Week.

Alex Carpenter (F, New York)

It is long overdue, but let us give Carpenter some love.

The 29-year-old has been one of the key reasons why New York is tied for the most goals scored this season (22). She came up big when her team needed it most on Sunday. After Abby Roque kickstarted the rally when N.Y. trailed Ottawa 3-0, Carpenter tied the game late in regulation, and then in the overtime, she potted her fifth goal of the season, completing the 4-3 comeback victory.

They were the first goals in five games for the USNWT star.

Carpenter has registered points in all but two games this, and has posted four multi-point games. Heading into the Rivalry Series break, she leads the league with 11 points.

Erin Ambrose (D, Montreal)

Way to be original Tyler, taking a player that has already been a Player of the Week. Bet you haven’t done that before…

Listen, Ambrose is a fantastic hockey player; there’s no question about it, but she stepped up during a low-scoring affair against Boston on Sunday. The Keswick, Ontario native scored a dandy of a goal to open the scoring.

That is just Ambrose’s second goal of the season. Then, in overtime, she made a sick pass to Laura Stacey for the game-winner, helping Montreal pick up the 2-1 win, extending their win streak to three games.

Ambrose’s vision and awareness make her one of the best two-way blueliners in the game, and she is always a lock to play for Team Canada.

Ambrose is now second in defender scoring, tied with Minnesota’s Lee Stecklein with six points.

Elaine Chuli (G, Montreal)

Lost in the win for Montreal was the play of Elaine Chuli. The former Toronto Six backstop knew she was going to play second fiddle behind Ann-Renée Desbiens this, but that has not stopped her from coming up big when called upon.

While she did not get the heavier workload on Sunday, Chuli made key stops against Boston, including three saves in the extra frame. The Waterford, Ontario native registered 26 saves in the 2-1 win, just the fourth goal she has allowed in three starts.

Believe it or not, Sunday’s victory was the easiest game Chuli has played all season in terms of shots against. She stopped 30 of 32 in her debut against New York on Jan. 10, before making 45 saves in a 2-1 victory over Minnesota on Jan. 24. With a 3-0 record, Chuli leads the PWHL in save percentage (.962).