How Puerto Rico’s Women’s National Team Made History — And What Young Players Can Learn From Their Gold Medal Run

When the Puerto Rico Women’s National Team stepped onto the small 3-on-3 ice surface in Buenos Aires, few could have predicted the moment that would follow: a roaring comeback, an overtime winner, and the first IIHF gold medal in the nation’s hockey history. But what happened on that ice wasn’t just a sports moment — it was a lesson in belief, adaptability, and the power of team culture.

In this episode of Our Girls Play Hockey, host Lee Elias and co-host Hayley Scamurra sit down with four key players from the championship roster: Katie Leffler, Anastasia Sloan, Sabrina Honeycutt, and goaltender Kaylee Awrachow. Their reflections reveal exactly how a team becomes more than the sum of its parts — even when time is running out.

The Challenge of 3v3: Letting Go of What You “Know”

One of the most surprising pieces of the story is how much the players had to unlearn. Traditional 5-on-5 instincts don’t translate to 3v3:

• There are fewer whistles.

• The ice surface is significantly smaller.

• Every mistake can lead directly to a goal.

• There are no positions — only offensive and defensive responsibilities.

For defenders like Anastasia Sloan, this meant literally abandoning the blue line mentality she had built over years of college hockey. For forwards like Katie Leffler, it meant being patient, slowing the game down mentally, and finding new passing lanes.

Coach Lee created a “baseball-style” rotation instead of lines — a system built for endurance and adaptability. Six games in six days demands not just skill, but stamina and complete trust in the process.

The Loss That Changed Everything

Before the dramatic win, Puerto Rico was handed a tough loss by Argentina earlier in the tournament. Instead of fracturing the group, it forced honest conversations.

Players admitted mistakes.
They addressed body language.
They identified patterns the opponent exploited.

As goaltender Kaylee Awrachow shared, this meeting was the moment trust deepened. Resilience isn’t built in celebration — it’s built in the willingness to look at your flaws as a team and come back stronger.

Leadership Through Action — Not Just Words

One of the most striking themes is how leadership emerged organically:

• Katie Leffler requested moving in the lineup to better support teammates.

• Sabrina Honeycutt, battling the flu, scored a key goal with unshakable discipline.

• Bench players who didn’t see overtime shifts became the loudest force in the arena.

• Kaylee Awrachow asked for constant feedback to accelerate her adaptation.

Leadership wasn’t a title. It was a behavior — shared, steady, and contagious.

The Comeback That Captivated a Nation

Down 5–2 with three minutes left, something clicked.

There was no panic.
No visible frustration.
Only focus, movement, communication.

The players describe those minutes like being in a flow state: automatic, instinctive, unified.

Katie found her scoring rhythm.
Anastasia jumped into the play for the eventual OT winner.
Kaylee made crucial stops to keep hope alive.
The bench drowned out hundreds of Argentine fans.

When the puck crossed the line in overtime, it wasn’t just a win for the 11 skaters and two goalies — it was a win for hockey players across Puerto Rico and for every young girl seeing representation where it didn’t exist before.

Why This Win Matters for Global Women’s Hockey

This isn’t just a story about a single team. It’s a reflection of the global growth of women’s hockey:

• Nations without traditional hockey infrastructure can now compete through formats like 3v3.

• Fans around the world are showing up — the final was sold out.

• Young athletes are witnessing history and imagining themselves in the jersey.

Puerto Rico’s win is proof that the game is expanding in powerful, meaningful ways.

Lessons for Young Players Everywhere

Across all interviews, the players offered consistent advice:

⭐ Keep the game fun.

Joy fuels growth more than pressure ever can.

⭐ Work hard — no matter when you start.

Two of these athletes began hockey later than most. Effort carried them to the world stage.

⭐ Build your confidence by sharing it.

Teams rise when leaders lift others.

⭐ Own your mistakes, then move on.

Overtime heroes aren’t perfect — they’re resilient.

⭐ Say yes to opportunities.

Sometimes the path to international hockey begins with one unexpected invitation.

These lessons transcend age, skill level, and geography. They are reminders that confidence is built, culture is chosen, and history is made by those willing to believe in something bigger than themselves.

Final Thoughts

This gold medal isn’t just a milestone — it’s a beginning. The Puerto Rico Women’s National Team proved what’s possible when athletes trust each other, embrace innovation, and compete with heart.

Their story will inspire girls across the world who see themselves on the ice for the first time… and believe they belong there.

If you haven’t listened yet, this episode is truly special. And if you’re a young player or parent, it’s packed with lessons you’ll carry far beyond the rink.

Thanks for being part of our Our Girls Play Hockey family — and keep believing in what the game can become. ❤️🏒