NWHL Recap: Week 3

Riveters stay undefeated, flood the Whale 5-1

Nov. 11, 2017; Terry Conners Ice Rink, Stamford, CT

Whale goal: Kaycie Anderson (1)

Riveters goals: Ryan (1) - PP, Russo (3), Wash (1), Rafter (1), Russo (4) - PP

Recap

After giving up the game’s first goal, Katie Fitzgerald shut the door against the Connecticut Whale in an up-tempo back-and-forth game — her 27 saves gave her teammates enough of a foundation to exercise their newfound offensive strengths.

The Riveters won their third straight game, showing off an ability to score in bunches and keeping them at the top of the NWHL standings as the only undefeated team for the young 2017-18 season. This Riveters team looks to be building on last season’s late surge; rather than starting off back at square one, they seem to already be confident in their game and each other.

The game was more even than the score would suggest, at least through the first half. The Whale had several good opportunities, including a few shorthanded shots on their many penalty kills, but the Riveters overwhelmed them with speed and positioning — Connecticut players were rarely able to get enough time or space for well-placed shots on goal or strategic passes.

Sydney Rossman was strong in goal for the Whale during the first period (which ended at one goal apiece), but she couldn’t stand up to the Riveters’ sustained pressure and six power play opportunities. The Metropolitan offense exploded for three goals in the second period, including one from Lauren Wash in her first game back after re-signing with the Riveters.

Player of the Game

With the go-ahead goal in the second period, plus an assist on Wash’s goal and another goal of her own in the third, Rebecca Russo was the key to the Riveters’ offensive breakout. Russo is one of the fastest skaters in the league, and she put that speed to use throughout the game — both to get pucks toward Connecticut’s net and to keep them away from her own.

Beauts overwhelm Pride, 5-3

Pride goals: Skarupa (1), Dempsey (1), Parker (1)

Beauts goals: Schrocka (1), Accursi (4) - PP, Elia (1), Buie (2), Accursi (5)

Saturday night bore witness to a plethora of firsts for the Buffalo Beauts -- first banner-raising ceremony to honor last season’s Isobel Cup win; first goals for two of the Beauts’ newcomers; and, perhaps biggest of all, the first win this season on home ice.

Kaylyn Schroka and Maddie Elia got the first tallies of their NWHL careers and Taylor Accursi continued her scoring streak with two goals as the Beauts hung on to beat the Pride, 5-3. Amanda Leveille sealed the deal with 29 saves.

On the Pride’s side, Haley Skarupa, Jillian Dempsey and Mary Parker did their best to keep it a close game, while Brittany Ott was pulled after getting battered with 31 shots in barely two periods and four goals allowed.

Player of the Game

Accursi’s two goals earned her first star of the game, and it’s a well-deserved honor for the Mercyhurst product. She finished the game with a whopping seven shots on goal as well, leading the Beauts.