MARCH 4, 2024 — Toronto center Sarah Nurse, Minnesota defender Sophie Jaques and Toronto defender Renata Fast have been named the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) ‘3 Stars of the Week’ for the week ending March 3.
FIRST STAR – SARAH NURSE, C, TORONTO
Nurse makes her debut on the PWHL’s ‘3 Stars of the Week’ atop the list, as the 29-year-old was a key factor in extending Toronto’s season-high win streak to seven games last week. In two games played, Toronto collected five out of a possible six points, with one regulation win and one overtime victory. First, Nurse scored a third period tally and the game-winning-goal in overtime on February 27 against Minnesota to keep her team’s streak alive—the first multi-goal game for the forward this season. She followed up her performance in Minnesota with two assists on March 2 against Ottawa, helping her team to a 5-2 win. With her four points last week — two goals and two assists — Nurse jumped into the top ten in PWHL scoring, sitting tied for sixth with ten points.
SECOND STAR – SOPHIE JAQUES, D, MINNESOTA
Jaques had her best week as a pro last week with three points in two games played, landing her as the second star of the week. The rookie defender — who joined Minnesota from Boston on February 11 via a trade — not only scored her first goal of the season on February 27 against Toronto, but she also scored her second tally that same game with just 22 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime. Then, on March 3, Jaques added an assist with her team on the advantage, highlighting her new role as the powerplay quarterback for Minnesota. She now has a season total of four points – all of which have been scored in the six games since joining Minnesota.
THIRD STAR – RENATA FAST, D, TORONTO
Fast led all PWHL players in assists last week, with four in two games played, as Toronto won two road games during that span. She started off her week with two helpers on the road against Minnesota in a critical overtime win for her team, marking the first time this season that Fast had multiple points in a game. The following game, the 29-year-old put up her second multi-point game in a row by way of another pair of helpers against Ottawa on March 2. Thanks to her stellar week, the Hamilton, ON native more than doubled her season point total, jumping from three to seven points, which puts her in a tie for fourth in scoring among defenders in the PWHL. Her six assists are third among defenders, just one behind co-leaders Megan Kellar and Jocelyne Larocque.
The ‘3 Stars of the Week’ will be announced each Monday throughout the season and will encompass games from the previous Monday through Sunday. Points will be awarded to each selection and will help determine rankings at the end of the regular season.
First Star = 30 Points
Second Star = 20 Points
Third Star = 10 Points
Standings through March 3:
1.Natalie Spooner (TOR) = 70 Points
2. Marie-Philip Poulin (MTL) = 60 Points
3. Alex Carpenter (NY) = 50 Points
4. Alina Müller (BOS) = 40 Points
T5. Claire Dalton (MTL) = 30 Points
T5. Sarah Nurse (TOR) = 30 Points
T5. Grace Zumwinkle (MIN) = 30 Points
T8. Kristen Campbell (TOR) = 20 Points
T8. Jade Downie-Landry (NY) = 20 Points
T8. Sophie Jaques (MIN) = 20 Points
T8. Brianne Jenner (NY) = 20 Points
T8. Ella Shelton (NY) = 20 Points
T8. Daryl Watts (OTT) = 20 Points
T14. Kendall Coyne Schofield (MIN) = 10 Points
T14. Renata Fast (TOR) = 10 Points
T14. Aerin Frankel (BOS) = 10 Points
T14. Taylor Heise (MIN) = 10 Points
T14. Abby Roque (NY) = 10 Points
T14. Corinne Schroeder (NY) = 10 Points