Five Things To Watch As The PWHL Returns From The Holiday Break

The PWHL is passing their second break of the season and fans are about to get their first uninterrupted month of hockey this season.

Here are five things to watch as the PWHL returns from the holiday break:

1. When WilL Julia Gosling Hit The Scoresheet

Gosling is the only member of the 2024 PWHL Draft class not to register a point this season. In fact, two players, Sarah Fillier and Claire Thompson, sit tied for the league lead in points with seven. The young power forward has played the fifth fewest minutes among Toronto forwards appearing in all five games this season. The promising point however, is that Gosling is one of only seven players on Toronto's roster to hit the double digit mark in shots on goal this season. It seems inevitable that one of those goes in. With Natalie Spooner remaining out, and Toronto struggling, coach Troy Ryan may be wise to test run Gosling on a top line to shake things up.

2. Can Boston Find Offense This Season?

Boston finished dead last in scoring in the PWHL's inaugural season managing only 50 goals in 24 games, yet still finished third overall. Fast forward to this season and the Fleet are the only PWHL team yet to hit double digits in goals scores. Their 2.25 goals per game is a slight increase over last year's 2.08, but it's still lacking. Hilary Knight and Megan Keller have provided four of those nine goals. Boston needs contributions from a group of players currently without a goal including Hannah Bilka, Alina Muller, Loren Gabel, Lexie Adzija, Sophie Shirley, and Theresa Schafzahl.

3. Record Breaking Moments Ahead On The Takeover Tour

The holidays must have sparked some ticket purchasing for gifts, because Seattle's stop on the PWHL Takeover Tour has started filling the upper deck and forced more sections to be opened. The game could challenge Detroit's American attendance record for a professional women's hockey game set last season. Seattle is the first stop of the Takeover Tour scheduled for January 5, followed by a sold out game in Vancouver on January 8. The other game to watch for a record may be the January 12 game at Ball Arena in Denver which has completely filled the lower bowl and is now working on the upper deck.

4. Return From Injury On The Horizon

Several PWHL stars have been on the shelf and unlike the newly disappeared Elves on the shelves, PWHL fans hope it won't be another year before they see Natalie Spooner, Ella Shelton, Sophie Jaques, Amanda Boulier, Jill Saulnier, Dominika Laskova, Kennedy Marchment, Megan Carter, Hadley Hartmetz, and full returns for Dominique Petrie, Alina Muller, and Daniela Pejsova. Some of these returns are imminent, others are unknown, but fans will be checking their calendars and crossing their fingers for news on players, including the recently injured Jaques, and Natalie Spooner, whose return could save Toronto's season. As well, the return of any of these players will have roster implications.

5. Second Time Is A Charm For Firsts

There's nothing like a first career goal. For some players it takes longer than others. This season, the PWHL's second, saw second year players including Jincy Roese, Shiann Darkangelo, Paetyn Levis, and Micah Zandee-Hart score their first career goals. There remains, however, a large number of second year players looking for their first career PWHL goals. Fans enjoyed seeing the four aforementioned players break their goalless stretches in year two, and undoubtedly as more join that group, there will be sighs of relief and exuberant celebrations. Some like Liz Schepers scored in the playoffs last year after not scoring in the regular season, but others want their first regular season or playoff tally. Players to watch in year two who remain looking for their first goal in the league include Zoe Boyd, Jessica DiGirolamo, Mariah Keopple, Melissa Channell, Olivia Knowles, Kaitlin Willoughby, Clair DeGeorge, Taylor Baker, and Emma Greco.