Ella Shelton makes history as New York blanks Toronto in PWHL opener

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The first game in the history of the PWHL had everything but the result for the home side.

There was the expected sellout crowd of 2,537 complete with that upbeat atmosphere every live sporting event craves.

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Alas, the final result favoured the visitors in a big way as New York dominated in a 4-0 win.

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A battle of Manitoba-born goaltenders stole the show through the first two periods with Corrine Schroeder, who hails from Elm Creek, Man., turning aside everything she faced to secure the first PWHL win for visiting New York.

Toronto netminder Kristen Campbell, of Brandon, Man., had it going through two periods allowing just one goal, but gave up three more in the final frame.

Ingersoll’s Ella Shelton made PWHL history with the first goal in league play at the 9:17 mark of the first period, scoring from the blue-line with Campbell peeking through tons of bodies in front just to locate the puck.

New York carried the play in the first period, outshooting Toronto 13-8.

Toronto came out far more aggressive in the second period, outshooting New York 16-4 but unable to get one past Schroeder, who head coach Howie Draper gave the start with it being in her home country.

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Abbey Levy, the other New York goalie, will get the home start when New York opens the home portion of its schedule Friday as Toronto heads south of the border for its first road game.

Toronto wants to build an identity of a team that is tough to play against, but it was New York that established the physical upper hand in this one early on and maintained it throughout.

Emma Maltais showed her teammates how to get the upper hand, killing a penalty midway through the third with some hard forechecking, but Toronto was already down 4-0 at that point.

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New York was especially physical in front of its net, clearing Toronto forwards lurking too close to their goalie. It set the tone for the game.

The nicest goal of the night came from New York’s Alex Carpenter, whose bullet coming down the left wing found the top corner over Campbell’s shoulder to make it 2-0 New York early in the third period.

Jill Saulnier, on a nice feed from Chloe Aurard, tipped it past Campbell to make it 3-0 a couple of minutes later.

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New York made it 4-0 as Campbell lost her stick with New York buzzing around her net. Toronto failed to gain control of the puck and Kayla Vespa slipped one past Campbell to put this one out of reach.

For the game, Schroeder stopped all 29 shots she faced to earn the shutout and first star of the game.

mgangter@postmedia.com

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