PHF Weekend Recap: A pair of slim victories get the Toronto Six back to winning ways

A wonderful winning weekend was well worth watching in the pair of games between the Metropolitan Riveters and the Toronto Six. The PHF season is winding down, with this being the 3rd-last weekend series that Toronto will have before the Isobel Cup playoffs will begin.
Saturday February 26th
This weekend’s first game marked a few special and/or interesting occasions. Firstly, the Metropolitan Riveters debuted this awesome alternate jersey, featuring a Black “Rosie the Riveter” on their jersey crest, instead of the typical but classic Rosie that normally exhibits herself on the Riveters’ chests. The design, by Jo Dabney is absolutely gorgeous, and while I’m hesitant to sport merch of a rival team, I’m on the cusp of buying one myself. (And one of these epic Beauts alternate jerseys they wore last Monday).

since it’s a bit unclear…
hi i’m Jo, I’m the @BlackGirlHockey designer and I designed the Black Rosie @Riveters jersey
my portfolio is here: https://t.co/OA8HMLlQsw pic.twitter.com/qn2Kk0fNm4
— jo (@notafan_jo) February 25, 2022

Secondly, this is the first games since the PHF announced a roster expansion that includes allowing 18 skaters in each game. As such, the Six went with 11 forwards and 7 defenders this weekend.

Lineups for this afternoons matchup! pic.twitter.com/OpFptl57fj
— Toronto Six (@TheTorontoSix) February 26, 2022

The third story line is that this is Breanne Wilson-Bennett‘s season debut, after she played with the Six in Season 6, but was not with the team to start the season. Wilson-Bennett is an energetic, feisty forward that centered the third line in most of last year’s season and is a great net front presence despite her diminutive size. This year, Coach Mark Joslin starts her off with a spot on the Captain Shiann Darkangelo‘s wing, hoping, I’m sure, to kickstart her season well. The Riveters had their own season debutant, as veteran Kiira Dosdal-Arena returned to the team after a maternity leave.
After a scoreless 1st period, the Riveters took a lead over the Six, something that hasn’t been easy to do. Kendall Cornine opened the scoring for the Riveters with this clean up play in front of the net as Elaine Chuli left an unfortunate rebound there to capitalize on:

KENDALL SCORNINE BREAKS THE ICE! pic.twitter.com/TQKEtSAb0r
— PHF (@PHF) February 26, 2022

In fact, it was a 2-goal lead, after this shorthanded breakaway goal by Haley Frade squeaked past Chuli. At this point, th …

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Author: Ryan Hobart / The Leafs Nation

Forgotten Raptors Playoffs: The 2017 Milwaukee series that put DeRozan in amber

There isn’t much worth remembering from 2017, but this series was the best of times and the worst of times for DeMar DeRozan. Welcome to Forgotten Raptors Playoffs! All throughout the 2019 NBA Playoffs, we’ll be looking back at past Raptors series — going all the way back to 2000 — and digging into the hidden, underrated, forgotten or straight-up wacky subplots and memories!
Today we’re looking back at Toronto’s first-round victory over Milwaukee in 2017.
The Situation
Toronto Raptors (51-31, 3rd seed) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (42-40, 6th seed)
The Outcome
Toronto defeats Milwaukee 4-2 in the best-of-seven series.
What Everyone Remembers
Norman Powell reaffirming his Game 5 Legend status, and DeMar DeRozan dunking away a furious Bucks comeback rally in Game 6.
What You Should Probably Remember Instead
This series was a snapshot of DeMar DeRozan’s postseason career with Toronto.
The 2017 Raptors are kind of a forgotten Raptors team. 2016 was the Eastern Conference Finals run; 2018 was the 59-win, top seed, finally-gonna-beat-LeBron team (or, you know… nah). The 2017 team was reshaped at midseason, didn’t coalesce thanks to a Kyle Lowry injury (more on this soon), won a fairly disappointing 51 games and landed the third overall seed… and kicked off its postseason with …

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Author: Josh Kern / Raptors HQ