Keller’s Golden Goal Ignites PWHL Frenzy

Keller’s Golden Goal Ignites PWHL Frenzy

The roar of the crowd still echoes, the confetti might have settled, but for U.S. Women’s National Team star Megan Keller, the euphoria of scoring the golden goal is just the beginning. Fresh off a career-defining moment on the Olympic stage, Keller joined The Pat McAfee Show to discuss the electrifying victory, the tight-knit camaraderie of her team, and her unwavering commitment to the burgeoning Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).

A Golden Moment, A Tight-Knit Unit

When the puck found the back of the net, securing Olympic gold for Team USA, it was more than just a score; it was the culmination of years of dedication. Keller described the journey with her teammates as a shared odyssey, with many having been together since the start of the Olympic quadrennial four years ago. “We have multiple camps throughout the year. A lot of us have played in college or professionally together. And you go through a lot as a team. And so that’s the best part about playing hockey. Like I feel like it’s like the biggest team sport ever. And so when you were working something for your whole life and you get to celebrate with your teammates like there’s nothing better than that,” Keller explained, highlighting the profound bond forged through shared sacrifice and triumph.

The Path to Professionalism

McAfee, ever the curious parent, probed Keller about the pathway for aspiring female hockey players. Keller painted a picture of a rapidly evolving landscape. “Honestly, it’s a different day and age now,” she noted. “When I was growing up, I played every sport under the sun. And I didn’t really fully take hockey like as my number one sport probably until high school.” She credits seeing women’s hockey on television during the Olympics as the pivotal moment that solidified her ambition, a vision now made tangible by the PWHL.

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Aaron Frankle

While the golden goal rightfully belongs to Keller, she was quick to deflect some of the spotlight, emphasizing the crucial role of goaltender Aaron Frankle. “She’s the best goalie in the world. Like, hands down,” Keller declared. “And she’s done it every single day at practice. She’s done it in the professional league. So, for her to do that on the Olympic stage, like, it’s no secret to us, but for the world to see that, it was pretty cool.” Keller recounted Frankle’s heroics in the gold medal game, including multiple saves off her head, stating unequivocally, “She won us that game for sure.” The sentiment was echoed by Connor, a fan from the audience, who lauded Frankle as the first goalie to shut out Canada from America and praised her “ridiculous” Olympic numbers.

The PWHL: The Future is Now

The conversation naturally shifted to the PWHL, a league Keller is deeply invested in. “All the players that everybody was watching on the Olympic stage, they all play in the PWHL. It’s the best league for women’s hockey,” she asserted. With the season currently at its halfway point, Keller emphasized the intense competition and parity within the league. “Our standings, three points up for grabs every night. So you can walk away with three or zero. And so teams go up and down very quickly. It’s like always competitive. The parody throughout our league is pretty competitive. So any team can win on any given night. Like there’s no easy games. There’s no nights off.” The Boston Fleet, Keller’s team, is currently leading the charge, though a tough matchup against Ottawa loomed.

Star Power on Display

When pressed about other key players to watch in the PWHL, Keller highlighted her teammates and international standouts. “Alina Mueller. She’s Switzerland. She scored the OT winner for the bronze medal. Um, she also was at the Olympics when she was like 15 years old crazy and had the game winner. So she’s incredible,” Keller said. She also pointed to her defensive partner, rookie Haley Winn, who is “lighting it up for us.” The energy and talent are undeniable, creating a compelling product for fans eager to follow the league.

From Olympic High to League Grind

McAfee questioned the difficulty of transitioning from the unparalleled high of an Olympic gold medal win back to the day-to-day grind of the professional season. Keller admitted that while the first couple of practices were a bit challenging after the celebrations, the excitement for the PWHL and the current standing of her Boston team made the switch surprisingly smooth. “I was so excited to get back to Boston knowing where our team sits at right now. Like we have a pretty special group and I think just it’s an incredible time in women’s hockey like to garner that viewership and all the all the juice that the Olympics brought into the PWHL.” The prospect of facing former U.S. teammates now as opponents in the league added another layer of anticipation for the battles ahead.

Embracing the Pressure

The locker room atmosphere before the golden goal was surprisingly calm. Keller revealed, “Honestly, I think our group got less and less nervous as time winded down.” The confidence surged after a crucial goal, leading to a palpable sense of inevitability. “When Hill scored that one, the just the feeling in the locker room was like, ‘Okay, we’re winning this one.’ Like, there’s no chance we’re not coming away with gold here,” she shared. The team’s dynamic is further fueled by their competitive spirit, with Keller confirming, “Yeah, we chirp. We’ve got some good chirpers on our team. Abby Murphy, I don’t know if you’ve seen her game, but you would like her actually as a player. She’s fun to watch and she backs it up.”

Looking Ahead

With the immediate focus on the PWHL season and a crucial game against Ottawa on the horizon, Keller also cast an eye toward the next international challenge. The World Championships, now rescheduled for November, represent another opportunity for the U.S. to showcase their dominance. As Keller returns to the ice with the Boston Fleet, the momentum from their Olympic triumph and the growing excitement surrounding the PWHL promise a thrilling continuation of her remarkable career.

Source: Megan Keller’s LOCKED IN on PWHL after scoring the Golden Goal for Team USA | The Pat McAfee Show (YouTube)