It is championship Sunday for the Premier Hockey Federation.
The 2023 Isobel Cup playoffs conclude today as the Minnesota Whitecaps take on the Toronto Six in the championship game for the women's professional hockey league.
Minnesota swept the Boston Pride in its semifinal series, knocking out the reigning two-time Isobel Cup champs. Jonna Albers powered the offense with a hat trick in Game 1, and then a goal and an assist in the clinching game.
Toronto defeated the Connecticut Whale in its three-game semifinal series. After dropping Game 1, the Six battled back in Games 2 and 3 to avoid elimination, punching its ticket to the club's first-ever championship appearance.
The Six have never hoisted the Isobel Cup, as the franchise is in its third season with the league. Meanwhile, the Whitecaps are aiming for their first title since 2019.
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The Sporting News has fans covered on how to watch the 2023 Isobel Cup Championship.
What time is the 2023 Isobel Cup Championship?
- Date: Sunday, March 26
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
The 2023 Isobel Cup Championship is set to take place on Sunday, March 26.
Puck drop is expected to be at 9 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. local time in Arizona.
What channel is the 2023 Isobel Cup Championship on?
- TV Channel: ESPN2 (U.S.) | TSN5 (Canada)
- Live stream: ESPN+ (U.S.) | TSN.ca, TSN app (Canada)
The 2023 Isobel Cup Championship is available to watch in the United States on ESPN2. In Canada, it will be broadcast on TSN5.
For those looking to stream the event, the American audience can find the action on ESPN+. In Canada, fans can live stream the game through TSN.ca or in the TSN app.
Where is the 2023 Isobel Cup Championship?
The 2023 Isobel Cup Championship is taking place at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Ariz., the home of the NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
This marks the first time the PHF has held its title game at an NHL venue. Last year, the league partnered with the Lightning for the 2022 championship, however, the game was played at AdventHealth Center Ice, located in Wesley Chapel, Fla.
What is the Premier Hockey Federation?
The Premier Hockey Federation, or PHF, is one of the top professional women's hockey leagues in North America.
The women's league is in its eighth season, and its second with the name, the PHF. It was previously known as the National Women's Hockey League, or NWHL before the change in name was made in 2021.
The league was founded by Dani Rylan, a former hockey player and entrepreneur. The estimated operating budget for the league was $2.5 million back in March 2015 according to ESPN's Pat Borzi.
The PHF became the first women's pro hockey league to pay its players.
What is the Isobel Cup?
The Isobel Cup is the league's championship trophy. It is handed out to the winner of the Isobel Cup playoffs at the conclusion of the season.
The trophy, which has the full name of Lady Isobel Gathorne-Hardy Cup, was first awarded in 2016 in the NWHL's inaugural season. It most recently went to the Boston Pride, who won back-to-back Isobel Cups and own three championship wins in total.
