Toronto Furies Win First CWHL Game Played at Air Canada Centre

A watershed moment in the history of the Canadian Women's Hockey League occurred in a November 17 affair at Toronto's Air Canada Centre.

With the Toronto Maple Leafs engaging in a partnership with the Toronto Furies, and the Calgary Flames agreeing to a similar deal with Team Alberta, the clubs played a contest to commemorate the landmark deal at Air Canada Centre.

At the 2:50 mark of the first, Team Alberta's Meaghan Mikkelson was called for a body checking penalty which gave the Furies the first power play in the game. Former Moncton Blue Eagles netminder Kathy Desjardins helped Team Alberta kill the penalty.

The first period saw Britni Smith score the first goal scored by a CWHL player in the Air Canada Centre at the 10:23 mark of the opening period. Mallory Deluce and Rebecca Johnston earned the assists on the marker.

After the goal, Team Alberta captain Bobbi-Jo Slusar was called for a penalty which provided the Furies with another power play opportunity. Once again, Desjardins showed great poise between the pipes.

While the first ended in a 1-0 score for the Furies, Team Alberta tried to get on the scoreboard. Despite their best efforts, Jenny Brine added to the Furies lead at the 3:27 mark of the second. While the Furies would be called for three penalties in the second, the Alberta power play was non-existent.

Heading into the final frame, Alberta played a very stout defensive style of play which neutralized the Furies high powered offensive attack.

While penalties to Martine Garland and Amanda Shaw gave Alberta opportunities on the power play, the efforts yielded negative results. An empty netter by Mallory Deluce with 1:54 left in the frame iced the game for the Furies. With Harvard Crimson alumni Christina Kessler standing between the pipes for the Toronto Furies,she logged the shutout in a historic night for the CWHL.