The Professional Women's Hockey League has issued disciplinary action following a contentious incident during Friday night's game between the Toronto Sceptres and Boston Fleet. Toronto forward Clara Van Wieren has been suspended for one game by the league's player safety committee.
Incident Leads to Major Penalty and Review
The suspension stems from a play late in the third period of Boston's 4-0 victory over Toronto. Van Wieren received a major penalty for boarding after an aggressive check on Boston forward Sophie Shirley. In its detailed review, the PWHL's player safety committee determined that Van Wieren raised her stick with both arms, causing the shaft to strike Shirley in the back and sending her dangerously into the boards.
Additional Fine for Boston Defender
In the aftermath of the hit, Boston defender Rylind MacKinnon was fined $500 for her role in the ensuing altercation. MacKinnon delivered a cross-check to Van Wieren before grabbing her face mask and pulling her to the ice. Notably, MacKinnon was not penalized during the game for this action, but the league's post-game review resulted in the financial penalty.
The PWHL's decision underscores its commitment to player safety and maintaining discipline in the league. Both teams will need to adjust their lineups accordingly as they continue their seasons, with Toronto losing Van Wieren for an upcoming game while Boston's MacKinnon faces a monetary consequence for her retaliatory actions.
