PWHL Players of the Week: Spooner, Boulier and Campbell step up in Week 7
Welcome back, Kotter! After a week-long pause for the Rivalry Series, PWHL action returned and it did not disappoint.
Let’s take a look at who stood out in this week’s slate of games.
Read our previous DFO Players of the Week
Natalie Spooner (F, Toronto)
There’s a case to be made that Natalie Spooner has been the best player in hockey for the last month. Since Jan. 20, the Toronto winger has eight goals in six games, including a hat trick earlier this week in their game against Boston.
Natalie Spooner scores an absolute beauty on the breakaway 🚨 pic.twitter.com/lFXw72iK39
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 15, 2024
Beyond the goals, Spooner has looked dominant almost every time she’s on the ice. She recorded 12 shots in Toronto’s two games this week, and is not just one of the reasons, but the main reason their team has won four straight and five of their last six.
As we reach the midway point of the league’s inaugural season, it’s hard not to see the Ohio State graduate as the frontrunner for MVP.
Amanda Boulier (D, Ottawa)
Ottawa suffered a setback this week in losing both games of a home-and-home with first-place Minnesota, but Amanda Boulier still had a pair of strong performances. The two-time Isobel Cup champion scored her first PWHL goal on Wednesday with a puck that had eyes.
Bou Blast! ❤️🔥
Amanda Boulier’s first of the season opened up the game tonight, and we KNOW you want to see it again! pic.twitter.com/I9AStnlYUO
— PWHL Ottawa (@PWHL_Ottawa) February 15, 2024
She added an assist in Saturday’s game and had productive shifts at both ends of the ice through the week. When you lose two games by a score of 2-1 and you’re a defender with a plus-two rating, you’re doing something right. Let’s hope the rest of her Ottawa teammates follow suit.
Kristen Campbell (G, Toronto)
After a difficult start to the season that saw Kristen Campbell only record one game in her first six appearances with a save percentage over .900, she has found her crease and carved out her role among the league’s best netminders.
Just an absolutely beautiful postgame interview with tonight’s first star Toronto goalie Kristen Campbell.
With a youngster watching and clapping throughout. Inspiring the next generation.
This is what it’s all about. pic.twitter.com/qCufq7Ndjq
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) February 17, 2024
Campbell has won four straight and this week made 62 saves on 65 shots, including a 30-save shutout in Friday night’s Battle on Bay Street against Montreal. Don’t look now but Toronto is the hottest team in the league, and if Campbell continues her winning ways, they’ll be the franchise to fear in the second half of the season.