Rough news for a team trying to stay in the hunt to advance to the Walter Cup Playoffs.
On Saturday, PWHL Boston announced that forward Taylor Girard has been placed on long-term injured reserve. In response, the team has signed forward Kelly Babstock to a standard player agreement for the remainder of the season.
Girard was injured during Boston’s 2-1 win over Minnesota last Saturday. She was hurt after awkwardly twisting her left leg, going down into the splits. The 25-year-old had to be helped off the ice, placing no weight on her leg.
Taylor Girard is down along the board in visible pain. She was part of the play, turned around and her left leg twisted & extended awkwardly into a split.
Happened right in front of the Boston bench. She's helped off, putting no weight on that leg. #PWHL— Melissa Burgess (@_MelissaBurgess) April 27, 2024
Girard was a solid, experienced addition to a Boston team with a healthy mix of veterans and rookies. However, the scoring touch she possessed playing in the Premier Hockey Federation with the Connecticut Whale has not quite translated to the PWHL. With her usage as more of a depth player at times, she has scored four goals and two assists in 23 games, last finding the back of the net on Feb. 19 against New York.
The Macomb, Michigan native was Boston’s ninth-round selection in the inaugural PWHL Draft.
Babstock was initially added to Boston’s reserve list right before the roster freeze in March. She was brought into action after signing a 10-day contract when the team placed Loren Gabel on LTIR two weeks ago. The former Metropolitan Riveter has played three games, seeing 5:40 of ice time last week against Minnesota.
The 31-year-old started the 2023-24 campaign with Ladies Team Lugano in the top league in Switzerland. In five games, Babstock scored six goals and 13 points.
Boston (7-4-3-9) is playing in a must-win game to keep their playoff hopes alive on Saturday. As they host Montreal (10-3-5-5), Boston needs at least a point if they want any chance of moving onto the postseason. They are currently tied with Ottawa–who has more regulation wins–with Ottawa playing Toronto in the final regular-season game on Sunday.
Boston can clinch a playoff spot outright with a regulation win over Montreal, paired with Minnesota losing to New York in regulation.