2021 PWHPA Dream Gap Tour Preview: St. Louis

The final US Dream Gap Tour stop is upon us!

After the initially being postponed due to COVID exposure, Minnesota and New Hampshire will face off for their final games Sunday and Monday night in St. Louis with the US Secret Dream Gap Tour Cup on the line. The PWHPA is again partnering with the local NHL team, the St. Louis Blues.

It’s been a while since we last saw these two teams, who most recently played in Chicago in early March.

Minnesota has a commanding lead in the standing with eight points to New Hampshire’s two. They’ve won three of the four games and racked up an extra two points in the standings by twice scoring more than five goals in a game.

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Team WSF (NH)

Roster:

Forwards: Brianna Decker, Jacquie Greco, Alexa Gruschow, Amanda Kessel, Gigi Marvin, Makenna Newkirk, Haley Skarupa, Dana Trivigno, Courtney Turner, Hayley Scamurra, Emily Field, Delaney Belinskas
Defense: Jincy Dunne, Kali Flanagan, Megan Keller
Goalies: Katie Burt, Alex Cavallini

Team adidas (MIN)

Roster:

Forwards: Hannah Brandt, Sydney Brodt, Dani Cameranesi, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Samantha Donovan, Hilary Knight, Anne Pankowski, Kelly Pannek, Abby Roque, Sophia Shaver, Ryleigh Houston
Defense: Demi Crossman, Savannah Harmon, Maddie Rolfes, Lee Stecklein
Goalies: Nicole Hensley, Maddie Rooney

*Rosters are from the PWHPA for the St. Louis stop and subject to change.

The PWHPA’s standings points system of awarding extra points for scoring five or more goals, a player scoring a hat trick, a short-handed goal, or a shutout means New Hampshire isn’t exactly out of cup contention just yet. But it will definitely be tough, especially since their roster, provided by the PWHPA, only lists three defenders.

For New Hampshire to give Minnesota a run for their money - or, well, the prize money - they need more offense. That might seem like an obvious statement since you win by scoring more than the other team. But for New Hampshire, their goal production is extremely low and shallow. Nine of the 19 players have not recorded a single point. Only five players have scored.

They’ve relied on Brianna Decker for the majority of their offense and that needs to change. Players like Alexa Gruchow (one assist) and Hayley Scamurra (two goals) have proven themselves to be offensive forces before, and if there ever was a time to step up, it’s these two games in St. Louis.

It doesn’t help that they’ve been shooting on an outstanding Nicole Hensley. Hensley, named to the initial Team USA’s Worlds roster before the postponement, leads all four goaltender in goals against average at 1.50 and save percentage at .953. She’s only allowed three goals.

In contrast to New Hampshire, they’re an insanely deep team with scoring coming from everywhere. Abby Roque has had a standout PWHPA debut, leading all skaters in goals (5), assists (5), and points (10). Eight other players have scored and all but three have hit the scoresheet in the first four games.

If Minnesota wins Sunday night, they will lock up the Cup.

How to Watch

Sunday, May 16, 2021 at Centene Community Ice Center at 1 pm eastern
Watch on CBC Sports (CBC Gem in Canada, CBCSports.ca + CBC YouTube worldwide)

Monday, May 17, 2021 at Enterprise Center at 7 pm eastern
Watch on CBC Sports (CBC Gem in Canada, CBCSports.ca + CBC YouTube worldwide)

Related

Keller and Flanagan an impressive top pair for Team WSF
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