Toronto split weekend series with Boston for Hometown Hockey

Rogers Hometown Hockey made a visit to Stratford, Ontario on Saturday night, when the Toronto Furies took a field trip to forward Emily Fulton’s hometown for the first of two weekend games against the Boston Blades.

Back In Blue

Veteran Furies goaltender Sami Jo Small made her season debut on Saturday after stepping away for almost two years to start her family. The 40-year-old netminder is one of the CWHL’s founders and proved she’s not hanging up her skates just yet. Rust off, game face on, Small stopped 23 out of 26 shots en route to Toronto’s 4-3 victory.

Almost 2 years (and 1 baby) later, the legend is back. @SamiJoSmall starts in net tonight. #BOSvsTOR pic.twitter.com/iwZXnLE2vr

— Toronto Furies (@TorontoCWHL) December 11, 2016

It was only fitting that Emily Fulton scored the first goal of the night. Her third of the season came at 3:49 in the first period, assisted by Julie Allen. Standout Furies rookie Michaela Cava doubled Toronto’s lead at 15:11. Although Boston’s frustration showed with three penalties in the first period, including two tripping calls on Sadie St. Germain in less than five minutes, their penalty kill remained steady and they held Toronto to just two even-strength goals.

The penalty script flipped in the second period. The Furies took all three penalties, allowing Boston to strike twice on the power play with goals from Meghan Grieves and Kate Leary. Toronto’s Carolyne Prevost and Jenna Dingledein scored in between those markers, though, and a third period Blades goal wasn’t enough to complete the Boston comeback. The good news for Boston? The final 4-3 score was a far cry from some of the blowouts they’ve seen already this season.

Fur Will Fly

Back in Toronto on Sunday, the Furies held their second annual Teddy Bear Toss, with fans only too happy to shower the ice with furry friends after standout rookie Michaela Cava’s first period power play goal.

While the Blades got into more penalty trouble after Cava’s tally, they held strong on the penalty kill and goaltender Lauren Dahm continued to earn her nickname “The Dahminator.” Building on the previous night’s efforts, Boston pushed the game to a shootout and won, 3-2. 420 days and a vastly different team later, the Blades got back in the win column, while Toronto left with the overtime point.