2021 Secret Dream Gap Tour preview: Chicago

Team adidas (Minnesota) and Team WSF (New Hampshire) are lacing their skates up again this weekend for their second Secret Dream Gap Tour stop, this time in Chicago.

Last weekend, they split the two games, but, due to the PWHPA’s scoring structure, Team adidas was crowned the first ever weekend champions. With that, comes bragging rights and money, though in her post game media availability PWHPA operations consultant Jayna Hefford said the player pool amounts are yet to be determined as the organization doesn’t know how many other stops the tour will have.


2021 Secret Dream Gap Tour recap: New York City


The rosters on the PWHPA’s website look the same as New York currently.

How to Watch

Saturday, March 6 at United Center in Chicago at 3 p.m. ET
Watch on NBC Sports.

Sunday, March 7 at Fifth Third Arena in Chicago at 11:30 a.m. ET
Watch on CBC Gem, cbcsports online, and the CBC Sports app globally.

Team adidas (MIN)

Roster:

Forward: Hannah Brandt, Sydney Brodt, Dani Cameranesi, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Samantha Donovan, Hilary Knight, Anne Pankowski, Kelly Pannek, Abby Roque, Sophia Shaver, Ryleigh Houston
Defender: Demi Crossman, Savannah Harmon, Margo Lund, Lee Stecklein
Goaltender: Nicole Hensley, Maddie Rooney

Player to watch: I’m cheating a little here because Mike Murphy wrote about her already but obviously the player to watch is Abby Roque. The forward fresh out of Wisconsin is the current goals, assists, and points leader. She proved she can play with anyone as she had assists for three different goal scorers and her three goals were assisted by two different players. Hilary Knight predicted she’ll be the best forward in the world, so keep an eye on her this weekend and forever.


The Abby Roque show


Team WSF (NH)

Roster:

Forward: Amanda Kessel, Haley Skarupa, Gigi Marvin, Brianna Decker, Delaney Belinskas, Hayley Scamurra, Alexa Gruschow, Courtney Turner, Emily Field, Chelsey Goldberg
Defender: Jincy Dunne, Megan Keller, Codie Cross, Jacquie Greco, Kali Flanagan
Goaltender: Katie Burt, Alex Cavallini

It should not be a surprise to anyone that Brianna Decker had a hand in 66% of Team WSF’s goals last weekend - scoring two and assisting on two, all on Sunday.

Player to watch: Last Sunday was all about Decker but don’t overlook how important Megan Keller has been to Team WSF. Keller eats up a lot of minutes on New Hampshire’s top pair with Kali Flanagan and is the only defender on either team with more than one point thus far — she has a pair of assists, one on the power play and one at even strength. More often than not, she’s the first line of defense against Team adidas’ stacked group of forwards. Fortunately for Team WSF, she’s one of the best blueliners in the world.