The National Women’s Hockey League is opening its second season in Buffalo this weekend with an unprecedented trio of games featuring all four of its franchises.
The 2016-17 regular season will be launched at HarborCenter October 7-9, including a look at upcoming talent in the International Ice Hockey Federation’s Girls’ Hockey. A special Try Hockey for Free event held in partnership with USA Hockey kicks off October 7 at 5 p.m.
The first game starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, with the Buffalo Beauts taking on the Boston Pride. The Beauts’ home opener will be a rematch of last year’s Isobel Cup Finals, which received its name from Lord Frederick Arthur Stanley’s daughter, Isobel, who shared his love of the game and is known to be one of the first female hockey players in Canada.
On Saturday at 7:30 p.m., the New York Riveters take on the Boston Pride. The defending champion Pride, with Olympians Hilary Knight and Meghan Duggan, take on the Riveters, featuring Amanda Kessel in her NWHL regular season debut.
On Sunday at 7:30 p.m., they drop the puck between the Connecticut Whale and Beauts.