The Seattle Torrent has officially concluded its pursuit of the 2026 PWHL Playoffs after a 4-1 defeat to the Vancouver Goldeneyes. This loss, marking their 19th of the season, establishes a new record for the most losses in a single PWHL season, surpassing the previous record of 18 set by the New York Sirens.
Details of the Match Against Vancouver
The game took place at the Pacific Coliseum, where both teams sought a regulation win to maintain playoff hopes. A victorious outcome was essential, as an overtime or shootout result would eliminate them both from contention.
- Less than three minutes into the game, Sarah Nurse scored for Vancouver.
- Hannah Miller extended the lead early in the second period.
- By the end of the second period, Vancouver was ahead 4-0, thanks to goals from Anna Meixner and Madison Samoskevich.
- Mikyla Grant-Mentis scored for Seattle in the final period, marking her third goal of the season.
Transitioning to the Gold Plan
With the loss, the Torrent shifts focus toward the Gold Plan for the remainder of the season. This system allows teams that have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention to earn draft-order points based on their performance in the final matches. Accumulating these points will be crucial as they aim for the top pick in the upcoming PWHL Draft.
The point structure mirrors that of the regular season, but the focus now is on amassing Gold Plan points. The team that earns the most points will secure the first overall pick. The New York Sirens have utilized this strategy effectively, obtaining the top draft position in the past two seasons.
The Challenges Faced by Seattle Torrent
The inaugural season for the Torrent has been challenging, despite the early excitement surrounding the team. The roster boasted prominent names like Alex Carpenter, Hannah Bilka, and captain Hilary Knight. However, injuries have hindered their performance significantly.
Bilka is out for the season due to an upper-body injury, while Knight, after suffering an MCL tear during her Olympic participation, missed eight games. Consequently, the Torrent has struggled throughout the season, particularly on the road, where they remain winless with 13 losses in true road games.
Looking Ahead
As the regular season progresses, the Torrent will compete against Vancouver, the Minnesota Frost, and Montreal Victoire, aiming to maximize their Gold Plan point accumulation. Their goal now is to position themselves favorably for drafting, potentially selecting from top NCAA prospects like Caroline Harvey, Abbey Murphy, or Lailah Edwards.
