Despite the narrative of players’ MVP vs league MVP on the broadcast, Markham rolls out a starting line of Nicole Brown, Nicole Kosta and Jenna McParland at forward to shut down Kunlun’s Kelli Stack, Stephanie Anderson and Zoe Hickel. On the back end it’s Jocelyne Larocque and Laura Fortino against Taylor Marchin and Jessica Wong. No surprises in goal: Erica Howe for the Thunder and Goalie of the Year Noora Räty for Kunlun.
Battle for possession as both teams spend time stealing the puck from each other without being able to get too far out of the neutral zone.