Source: PWHL Boston to place forward Loren Gabel on injured reserve

It’s not the best news for a team battling for the playoffs in the regular season’s final weeks.

According to sources, PWHL Boston is placing forward Loren Gabel on injured reserve with a suspected upper-body injury. In response, the team is expected to sign forward Nicole Kosta to a 10-day contract.

Gabel was injured during Saturday night’s Takeover game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit against Ottawa. In the second period, while chasing the puck behind the Ottawa goal, Gabel was hit into the boards by Ottawa defender Aneta Tejralová and laid on the ice, favoring her shoulder.

She had to be helped off the ice by the training staff, and did not return. It is expected that Gabel will be out through the World Championship break, and is hopeful to return once the league resumes play next month.

Gabel came into the PWHL with a lot of hype after having a stellar performance with the Boston Pride of the Premier Hockey Federation last season. The Kitchener native led the league with 20 goals and 20 assists in 22 games, earning league MVP honors.

The 26-year-old has been solid during the inaugural PWHL season, though she has gone cold in recent weeks. In 17 games, Gabel has scored four goals and three assists, but has not registered a point since finding the back of the net against Ottawa on Feb. 21.

Kosta has played a few games this season, though she has not been in the lineup since late January. The former Quinnipiac Bobcat made three appearances, picking up an assist against Minnesota in her last game on Jan. 27. Prior to joining Boston’s reserve list, the eighth-year pro spent four seasons in the PWHPA. She also played for the Markham Thunder (CWHL) and Connecticut Whale (PHF).

Boston (4-4-2-7) is currently fourth in the league, holding the final playoff spot, one point ahead of Ottawa, but eight behind third-place Minnesota.