If you love the rush of a breakaway or the blur of a player sprinting down the rink, you’re in the right place. This tag gathers every story about speed – from record‑breaking sprints to the players who make the ice feel like a runway. Let’s break down what makes a skater fast, who’s leading the pack in the East, and why speed changes the whole game.
Who are the fastest skaters?
Every season, a few names pop up on the leaderboard for the highest sprint speed. In the 2024‑25 Eastern season, Sara "Lightning" Martinez from the Boston Blades topped the charts with an average 32 km/h sprint during shifts. Her secret? Short, explosive bursts and a low‑centered stance that lets her cut corners cleanly.
Close behind is Amy Chen of the New York Riveters. Chen’s background in track and field gives her a powerful stride, and she consistently hits the 30 km/h mark on rushes. Fans love her because she makes it look easy – she can start from a standstill and be at the offensive zone before defenders realize what happened.
Rookies also shake things up. Fresh‑face Kelsey O’Connor from the Philly Flyers recorded a peak speed of 33 km/h in a playoff game, setting a new franchise record. Her quick acceleration is a big reason the Flyers surprised several top teams this year.
How speed changes the game
Speed isn’t just a flash point; it reshapes tactics. Teams with fast forwards can pressure opponents higher up the ice, forcing turnovers before the other line can set up defensively. That creates more odd‑man rushes and higher‑quality scoring chances.
Coaches are adapting too. Many now run drills that focus on short‑distance acceleration rather than long‑track endurance. The goal is to teach players to explode off the line, change direction in a split second, and keep the puck moving forward. When a player can shave even half a second off a breakout, it can be the difference between a goal and a missed opportunity.
Fast defensemen also matter. A speedy back can join the rush, keep the play alive, and still recover quickly to defend. In the Eastern league, Laura "Flash" Greene of the Hartford Hawks is a perfect example – she adds an extra attacker without leaving the defensive zone exposed.
Fans notice the excitement, too. A fast breakaway that ends with a dazzling deke feels more thrilling than a slow, methodical buildup. Social media clips of the “fastest goal of the week” often rack up shares, driving more eyes to women’s hockey and helping the sport grow.
So, whether you’re tracking sprint numbers, watching a fast‑paced game, or looking for the next breakout star, speed is the pulse of Eastern women’s hockey today. Keep an eye on the leaderboard, follow the players who love to race the clock, and enjoy the rush every time the whistle blows.
The fastest three goals in an NHL game have been scored by three different players. The first record was set by Bill Mosienko in 1952 when he scored three goals in just 21 seconds. The second record was set in 1981 by Doug Smail when he scored three goals in just 44 seconds. Finally, in 2020, Matthew Tkachuk became the fastest NHL player in history to score three goals in just 22 seconds. All three records are still standing and are impressive feats of skill and speed.
