No. 1 overall pick Heise leads the way as Minnesota tops Boston in PWHL debut for both teams

In the inaugural game of the Professional Women's Hockey League, Minnesota clinched a 3-2 victory over Boston on Wednesday night in Lowell, Massachusetts, thanks to significant contributions from Taylor Heise, Sophia Kunin and Nicole Hensley. Heise, the top draft pick, and Kunin scored the first two goals for Minnesota within the first eight minutes of the game, while Hensley defended the goalpost, making 33 saves.

Heise's goal marks a historic moment as the first ever scored for Minnesota and the first in the league on American soil. Kunin took advantage of a Boston error to beat Boston's Aerin Frankel with a shot from the circle. Theresa Schafzahl, a former standout for Vermont, scored Boston's first goal, reducing Minnesota's lead to 2-1. However, less than a minute later, University of Minnesota graduate Grace Zumwinkle retaliated with a goal off the crossbar, restoring Minnesota's two-goal lead.

A last-minute goal from Megan Keller couldn't compensate for Boston, as Hensley concluded the game with a glove save at the final horn.

Despite having only a week to acclimate to its new coach Ken Klee following the abrupt resignation of former coach Charlie Burggraf, Minnesota was able to hold off its opponents, including four-time Olympian Hilary Knight.

Boston will next play against Ottawa at home on Monday. For Minnesota, its home opener will be against Montreal, scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 pm ET. All remaining 17 PWHL games in CBC Sports' lineup will take place on Saturdays, with Minnesota's game included.

As a landmark moment in the history of the PWHL, Taylor Heise, a University of Minnesota forward and 2022 Patty Kazmaier award recipient, was announced as the first-ever draft pick of the league by tennis legend Billie Jean King four months ago.