PWHL Backup Goaltenders: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not

A third of the way through the 24-25 PWHL campaign, all six teams have given their backup goalies at least one start. With this longer season (30 games rather than 24), using starting and backup netminders strategically is a decision that could seriously affect a team’s chances of making the playoffs.

As well, a goalie who has had some rest is sure to be an important asset in the post-season. We saw the Walter Cup champion Minnesota Frost employ both of their goalies (Maddie Rooney and Nicole Hensley) in their run to the ultimate prize. Rooney and Hensley each won three games in the playoffs).

On the flip side, it appeared that last year Ottawa might have over-relied on their starter Emerance Maschmeyer, who appeared in 23 of 24 games. The team missed the playoffs with a loss in their final game of the year. Would an extra start for their reliever Sandra Abstreiter have helped their chances or did they not trust her to deliver?

This season, with very capable backups in all six cities,there’s no reason not to split starts more evenly to assure that either netminder is confident and ready to backstop a team if the need arises.

The Montreal Victoire used Elaine Chuli last season in eight games, a healthy amount for the backup. Her numbers this year are slightly down (2-1 with an .897 save percentage) and it will be interesting to see if Chuli takes more of the load through the middle of the season. It was surprising not to see Chuli against Minnesota last week, with starter Ann Renee Desbiens certainly deserving of the start in her hometown of Quebec City. However, Desbiens delivered the win against the Frost in a vital contest, and then was a standout in the 2-1 win versus Ottawa.

Minnesota seems to have penciled in Nicole Hensley as their #1, but she has been pushed time and again by Rooney, a veteran who is a settling presence. Rooney has played seven games already with Hensley injured, and has posted a .921 save percentage and 1.96 GAA in five wins and one loss.

Aerin Frankel is so important to the success of the Boston Fleet that starts might be hard to come by for their backup Emma Söderberg and their third goalie Klara Peslarova. The “green monster” did appear to tire in last year’s playoffs, as the team was defeated in game five of the finals.

Although Söderberg's numbers last year were right in the middle of the pack (four wins, three losses, 2.53 goals-against average and .900 save percentage) the Fleet would be wise to consider spreading out the netminding duties to prevent Frankel burning out. Peslarova could be capable of surprising, so why not allow her to start a couple of games?

Toronto’s Kristen Campbell had a slow start to her PWHL career last year, and for a while it appeared that goaltending would be their demise. However, Campbell rebounded in a big way, winning twelve games in a row and was named Goaltender of the Year.

Sceptres’ GM Gina Kingsbury drafted national champion Ohio State University goalie Raygan Kirk with the very last pick of the draft, and the results could pay off. When Campbell faltered again at the start of this season, Kirk stepped in admirably and gave the team three strong games (one win, one loss, and one overtime loss). It wouldn’t be surprising to see her get a few more starts to keep her confidence high and to ensure that she would be set to play in the post-season if necessary.

Similarly, Ottawa drafted a star NCAA goaltender, Gwyneth Philips from Northeastern, in the third round, 14th overall, after finished her collegiate career with a .958 save percentage, the highest in NCAA history. So far, Philips has played twice and is 0-1-1, so the decision about when to rest Maschmeyer is a high-stakes gamble for the Charge.

As rookies straight out of the NCAA, playing the role of backup is a little more treacherous. Staying mentally strong and adapting to the higher level of shots faced are huge challenges.

New York’s Kayle Osborne is in a similar position, having been drafted 28th overall out of Colgate. Her college coach Greg Fargo knows the netminder well, and will have confidence in decisions about when to give her a start. However, her one game was a loss against Ottawa, so the predicament is similar to what the Charge faces with Maschmeyer. Corinne Schroeder is the leading goalie in the entire PWHL, so how and when do you give her some rest and gamble with three points?

The “backup” race is clearly being led by Maddie Rooney, with Chuli, Kirk, and Söderberg not far behind. Watching who continues to post strong numbers is a fascinating perspective on which teams will get closest to the Walter Cup at the end of the season.