The Toronto Six made history on March 26 with their dramatic overtime win of the 2023 Isobel Cup.
They are the first Canadian team in the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) to win the prestigious title. The victory came in the three-on-three overtime following a close game against the Minnesota Whitecaps at Arizona’s Mullett Arena.
The championship game went into overtime, with the Toronto Six scoring the winning goal in just five minutes. Photo credit: Twitter / PHF
The winning goal that changed the Six from championship competitors to Isobel Cup winners came from left-winger Tereza Vanišová
Toronto Six team captain and seasoned hockey veteran, Shiann Darkangelo, said it took a team effort to pull through in overtime, and they are proud and excited to have taken the title.
“We’re super excited, and it’s a lot to take in at once,” she said. “You’re still kind of in awe, to be honest, I don’t really think its sunk in yet, because we’ve had so many different celebrations and been involved in so many events, it almost doesn’t seem real.”
Each player took turns celebrating with the Cup, riding a high from being the first Canadian team in PHF to win this title. Photo credit: Twitter / Lindsay Eastwood
The Toronto Six’s Twitter account echoed this excitement and said the team was riding a high following the momentous win.
This game also marked the first time the Isobel Cup Championship took place on NHL-sized game ice at the Mullett Arena in Tempe, Ariz., and had more than 1,500 fans in the stands.
Darkangelo said while the adrenaline and nerves ran higher than normal, the team prepared for the final game the same way they always do.
“[The preparation for the game] was the same as it normally is, because you’ve got to treat every game like it’s your last, because you never know what it might be,” she said.
This win has brought much deserved attention to women’s hockey, and Darkangelo said she hopes it will inspire young women and girls to take their shot.
“Definitely bringing the Isobel Cup back here to Toronto, you already see the visibility and the opportunity changing that much more with it,” she said. “And hopefully it’s something that audiences will hook on to and realize that this is around all year long, and female athletes are putting in just as much work as pro athletes.”
The Toronto Six brought the famed Isobel Cup home to Canada following their big win. Photo credit: Twitter / Paul Ainslie
The Toronto Six have also gained notoriety for having already achieved the status of Cup winners, despite only being founded in 2020.
“It’s really exciting, it’s what we’ve been striving for in the three years that the Toronto Six has been in the league,” Darkangelo said. “It’s that much more exciting to be the first Canadian team to hoist the Isobel Cup, it’s history that we’re making, and it’s amazing to be a part of that.”