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[article] Szabados becomes first female goalie to win in SPHL


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Szabados becomes first female goalie to win in SPHL

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Shannon Szabados became the first female goaltender to win a Southern Professional Hockey League game Friday when the Columbus Cottonmouths defeated the Fayetteville FireAntz 5-4 in overtime.

Szabados stopped 34 shots to earn her first professional win. The game also featured Erin Blair and Katie Guay becoming the first female officials to referee an SPHL game. It was Girl Scout Night in Columbus.

Matt Gingera scored a power-play goal with 34 seconds left in overtime for the Cottonmouths.

Szabados led the Canadian women to gold at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Blair was one of six referees selected to officiate at the Sochi Games, and Guay will officiate at the 2015 IIHF Women's World Championship in Malmo, Sweden.

My first Pro win & more importantly first Snakes win of the season! Thanks for all the love and support! pic.twitter.com/3MTsz05Lvs

— Shannon Szabados (@ShannonSzabados) November 22, 2014

Confirming yet again, she is AWESOME!

And so glad to hear female refs getting more opportunities as well. Hockey gods know we could use some more who actually know and apply the rulebook...

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What is SPHL equivalent to? WHL? Utica?

According to Wikipedia, SPHL is an A level league. The AHL is AAA, or elite level. WHL is Major Junior, or high level but age restricted.

Still an impressive feat for Szabados.

According to Puck Daddy, "This is Szabados second season with the Cottonmouths. She originally signed with the franchise in March as a backup to goaltender. Some were wary this was a gimmick by the SPHL, but she impressed the organization enough to where she re-signed in the backup role for a second go in August."

She's only started 5 games for them so far (3 of them this seasons) and her stats haven't been great, but her OT win was actually the team's first win of the season. (Looking at their record, I'm guessing the team ain't great...)

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I actually did remember about the female goalie in the exhibition game, but thanks for the cool reminder!!

I think a female goalie could make it to the NHL eventually, especially with the level of competition the women in Canada and the US are playing at. The biggest barrier I think in terms of being able to actually be effective at the NHL level is simply height. I don't think shorter people are easily able to make the saves required in the NHL and as women tend to be shorter it would be that much harder for them to make it. But, if a woman with Szabados' level of skill also happened to be near or (preferably) over 6 feet tall, game on!

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That's awesome.

It's only a matter of time until women creep up the professional ranks of every sport.

When a woman is the next McDavid she'll play.

I'm not so sure, size is already a factor in the NHL for men and most women don't reach 5'11 as hockey players.

I think women can play in other men leagues though eventually.

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I'm not so sure, size is already a factor in the NHL for men and most women don't reach 5'11 as hockey players.

I think women can play in other men leagues though eventually.

That's the same thinking that said black men will never play baseball or QB a championship team or that Asians can't play in the majors.

When a woman with the skill and physical abilities comes along to break the barriers the floodgates will open.

I don't know how long it will take to happen but it will happen.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Very happy for Shanon. She's a great goalie and a fantastic person.

Remember though: the goal is not for more women to play in men's leagues. The goal is to have a self sufficient women's league that can financially support its players and help grow the game.

Till that day comes, players like Shannon are good for the sport's image

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