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Most of you are familiar with the ongoing dispute between USA Hockey and the women’s national team.
Tonight, before a NWHL playoff game between the Boston Pride and Connecticut Whale, the Pride demonstrated solidarity with the striking women of the national team.
Big ups to @thebostonpride for introducing the #USWNT players instead of starting lineups tonight. pic.twitter.com/mmSbHHgmbz
— StanleyCup ofChowder (@cupofchowdah) March 16, 2017
Lots of fan support for the USWNT strike here pic.twitter.com/h0vRsptpx2
— Punch fascists (@HBAdventure) March 16, 2017
From Cornelius, who is at the game, the Pride kicked things off by inviting women’s national team (USWNT) players from the Whale to come to center ice, then invited USWNT players from the Pride to join them.
This was done in place of announcing the starting lineups for each team.
Players exchanged fist bumps with their national teammates as they stood at center ice.
The crowd at Warrior Ice Arena gave the USWNT players a standing ovation as they stood at center ice.
The Pride minced no words when it came to the meaning behind the ceremony:
Prior to the game, we honored the members of the US women's national team. We stand with you. #BeBoldForChange pic.twitter.com/i5Uxawumdl
— Boston Pride (@TheBostonPride) March 16, 2017
It was a nice show of support for some of the best women’s hockey players in the world from the Pride, the NWHL and the crowd in Brighton.
USA Hockey continues to make a mess of this situation, but it’s good to see that the vast majority of hockey fans are firmly on the side of the USWNT.
(Also, go Pride.)