It took overtime, but the Toronto Six finally secured the one prize that has eluded them: the Isobel Cup.
After twice taking a one-goal lead and then watching their lead disappear, the Six finally broke through in overtime to take the 4-3 win against the Minnesota Whitecaps. Tereza Vanisova scored the game-winner, bringing the Isobel Cup to Canada for the first time in the Premier Hockey Federation’s eight-year history.
The title win also marked the first time a professional hockey team has brought a championship back to Toronto since 2017-18, when the AHL’s Toronto Marlies won the Calder Cup. On the women’s side, the Toronto-area Markham Thunder won the Clarkson Cup in the CWHL in the same season.
THE GOAL THAT ENDED IT AND GAVE THE TORONTO SIX THEIR FIRST ISOBEL CUP! pic.twitter.com/0bPSVMwpFk
— PHF (@PHF) March 27, 2023
The Six reached their first championship game appearance in their three years as a team after they beat the Connecticut Whale 2-1 in a best-of-three semifinal series.
“This has been three years in the making of where we’re at now,” captain Shiann Darkangelo said. “I’m super excited and proud of the group that’s been here and the girls that have been a part of it to bring the Isobel Cup back to Toronto.”
Vanisova was named player of the game and becomes just the second player in PHF history to win three Isobel Cup titles. Her former Boston Pride teammate Jillian Dempsey is the other.
And as for what the win means for Toronto?
“It’s going to be amazing, maybe we’ll have a big parade in Toronto,” coach Geraldine Heaney said. “That will give the young girls in Toronto something to dream about as well.”