Curl-Salemme A "Big Loss" For Minnesota, Montreal Players React To The Suspension

On Monday, the Professional Women’s Hockey League announced that Britta Curl-Salemme has been suspended for one game and fined $250 for her hit on Kaitlin Willoughby, as well as for “pulling Abby Roque’s facial protector, sending her to the ice with a degree of violence.”

The Minnesota Frost offered little reaction to the league’s decision.

“That's the decision made by the league. We're focussing on our game two tomorrow,” said Frost’s captain Kendall Coyne Schofield on the league’s decision, Monday afternoon after the team’s practice in Verdun.

“It's a tremendous loss,” she added. “Obviously, she's been a huge part of this team. She’s a big part of this team. And it's a big hole we'll have to fill for game two.”

Not much was said either by Minnesota head coach Ken Klee, beyond noting he’s dealt with similar situations before, as this marks Britta Curl-Salemme’s fourth one-game suspension since last season, and sixth instance of supplemental discipline.

“The league made the call and we're just moving on,” Klee said. “We’ll be excited to get her back for game three.”

“She’s one of the better players in the league, one of the better players on our team,” he added. “It's a loss, but, you know, we've dealt with it before. Good thing we have a lot of good players and it gives other players some opportunity.”

Glad With The Decision

Members of the media were waiting to speak with players from the Montreal Victoire when news of the suspension broke during their practice Monday.

“I had no idea,” admitted Montreal forward Laura Stacey, when asked about it a few minutes after getting off the ice. “But obviously that's the league's decision and obviously we weren't necessarily happy with the hit on Willow (Kaitlin Willoughby) and I think you could see that from the reaction of all the players on the ice and on the bench. At the end of the day, I'm glad the league made a decision but again, we're excited that Willow's okay, that she's out here today. Our group's in great shape and we're excited about tomorrow.”