PWHL Players of the Week: Jaques, Campbell and Miller power their teams to victory

At this point of the PWHL season, certain players are called upon to be factors in their team’s success. Sometimes, the stars are the ones who are the difference makers, while role players are also capable of being game-changers.

This week’s Players of the Week feature both categories, as this trio was key in helping their respective clubs end up on the winning side of things.

Hannah Miller (F, Toronto Sceptres)

With a player like Natalie Spooner out of the lineup, members of the Sceptres would have to step up in her absence. Though it hasn’t been a memorable season thus far for Toronto, one player who has been one of the team’s more consistent producers has been Hannah Miller.

The St. Lawrence product was an essential factor in the Sceptres’ 4-2 road win over the Ottawa Charge last Tuesday night. Miller’s goal erased an early deficit, being the ignition for a Toronto rally.

Miller also assisted on Emma Maltais’ empty-net goal to cap off the victory, snapping the Sceptres’ three-game losing skid.

Miller is tied for second on the team in scoring with Sarah Nurse, leading the Sceptres with four goals. What makes the 28-year-old’s game special is the fact that, while she has notable skill, her awareness and hockey sense helps her stand out and has made her a crucial player in the Sceptres’ offense.

Sophie Jaques (D, Minnesota Frost)

One might argue that Jaques might not have been making a real difference, as the Frost continued to stay near the top of the league standings while the 2023 Patty Kazmaier winner was on long-term injured reserve.

Yet, when the second-year pro returned to the lineup in time for the Takeover Tour game in Denver, you could tell she elevated the team’s level of play. The former Ohio State Buckeye potted her first goal of the season, adding an assist in the 4-2 win over the Montreal Victoire in a battle for first place.

Jaques followed that up with an assist last Friday against Montreal, giving her six points through seven appearances, already well above the scoring pace she had during the league’s inaugural season.

While it is a good sight to see Minnesota being able to play at a high level without one of its top players, the presence of Jaques on both ends of the rink gives the defending Walter Cup champions an extra level of danger.

Kristen Campbell (G, Toronto Sceptres)

While there hasn’t been a whole lot to cheer about in Toronto this season, seeing Kristen Campbell play well this week is something worth noting. The Canadian National Team backstop had a rough start to the second season, similar to what we saw in year one. It led to rookie Raygan Kirk being given the “1B” tab from coach Troy Ryan.

Yet, Campbell answered some criticism with a couple of solid performances this week.

On Sunday against the New York Sirens, Campbell might not have had the same level of work as her counterpart, Corinne Schroeder, but she was able to make some big stops to at least give Toronto a point (though they were kind of screwed) in the 1-0 overtime loss. The 27-year-old stopped 19 of the 20 shots she faced.

Then, on Tuesday, in an important clash against the Charge, Campbell made 22 saves, helping the Sceptres snap a three-game losing streak with a 4-2 win. It was Campbell’s first win since the season opener against the Boston Fleet on Nov. 30.

The Brandon, Manitoba native’s numbers might not be great, a 2-4-1 record with a 2.85 goals-against average and a .891 save percentage, but a couple of quality starts could give Campbell the confidence to turn her and Toronto’s season around.

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