The much anticipated first weekend of the NWHL did not disappoint with high-class hockey, game-winning debutants' goals and captains leading by example.

Amid protests from a number of NWHL players regarding pay discrepancies, there have been doubts over the 2019/20 season with a large number of players boycotting the leagues and taking to their own "Dream Gap Tour" to fight against inequality but those who chose to remain, certainly put on a show.

With only 3:08 remaining, Buffalo Beauts' new girl Brooke Stacey slotted her first goal for the light blues to put them 2-1 up against the Connecticut Whale and new captain Corinne Buie cemented the win with an empty-net goal with 23.6 seconds left on the clock. 

Stacey admitted she was unsure but also delighted with her first NWHL goal, saying: "I wasn't sure what I was going to do, but then it was in the back of the net. So that made me pretty happy."

She praised her team's play and emphasised how important a strong start to the season is adding: "I think it's good to start right off the bat to get a win under our belt.

"I think we really came together as a team, and if we carry that on for the next upcoming games we will have no problems," she finished.

In the other opening day game, the Metropolitan Riveters succumbed to a 4-2 home defeat to the Boston Pride, after captain Jullian Dempsey slotted two goals to add to her all-time league-leading record (31).

After the game she said: "We took a while to get going and we still have a long way to go. But we're glad we toughed it out and got the W."

The League continues this weekend with the schedule as follows:

Saturday October 12:

 2pm CDT Metropolitan Riveters v Minnesota Whitecaps

6:30pm CDT Buffalo Beauts v Boston Pride

Sunday October 12:

2:30pm CDT Buffalo Beauts v Boston Pride

3pm CDT Metropolitan Riveters v Minnesota Whitecaps