2021 NWHL season in Lake Placid: day four

Boston continues slump while Six start streaking

Another doubleheader is in the books as the NWHL wrapped up day four of competition in Lake Placid. A surprise schedule change affected game two of the night as the NWHL announced the Buffalo Beauts would face off against the Toronto Six, not the Metropolitan Riveters, citing the NWHL’s medical protocols prioritizing the health and safety of all participants during this season in Lake Placid. The Beauts will now face the Riveters at 5:30 p.m. ET Thursday.

Connecticut Whale top Boston Pride, 4–1

Box Score

  • An explosive third period propelled the Whale past the Pride, who were trailing 1–0 after two. Tori Howran notched the Whale’s first goal of the night, opening the flood gates for Connecticut’s offense as they proceeded to score three more within the next 10 minutes. /
  • Despite dressing for the game and taking warmups, Pride captain Jillian Dempsey did not record a shift tonight after leaving Tuesday’s game following an awkward collision. Pride head coach Paul Mara gave an update on Dempsey after the game, stating it’s “an injury we’re still trying to figure out and diagnose” and noted that Dempsey will be re-evaluated by doctors. Losing Dempsey, the all-time leading NWHL scorer, for the rest of the season would be a difficult break for the Pride, who have had trouble generating offense so far this season.
  • Boston continued to struggle on the power play, converting just one of six opportunities in tonight’s game. That marks just four goals on 26 skater-advantages this season. If the Pride hope to get any type of offense going they’re going to have to start capitalizing on those opportunities.
  • Under the Radar | Rookie goaltender Abbie Ives stood tall in net for the Whale, stopping 34 of 35 shots to keep Connecticut in the game through two and earn her second win of the season (and her career).
  • Player of the Game | Connecticut’s Emma Vlasic was the driving force behind the third-period comeback, factoring in on each of the Whale’s four goals. Notching assists on the first three, Vlasic finally found the back of the net herself with the final goal of the night. /

Toronto Six edge Buffalo Beauts, 4–2

Box Score

  • Things seem to be finally clicking in to place for the Six, who earned their second straight win tonight and now sit second in the standings. Tonight’s win seems even more impressive when you consider the Six weren’t even supposed to play and were coming off a physically (and emotionally) exhausting win over the Boston Pride Tuesday.
  • Special teams were a sore spot for both the Six and the Beauts tonight, as neither team was able to capitalize on the advantage. On the flip side, they also both were perfect on the penalty kill!
  • Autumn MacDougall recorded both goals for Buffalo tonight, marking her first and second career NWHL goals. The Beauts rookie came close to notching the hat trick, with multiple chances near the net in the final period, but the last goal just wouldn't go./
  • Under the Radar | Toronto’s Megan Quinn scored the go-ahead goal in the final minute of the second period, her first career NWHL goal.
  • Player of the Game | Both goaltenders were forces to be reckoned with, and both could equally deserve this honor, but Buffalo’s Carly Jackson stood on her head to keep the Beauts in this game, stopping 45 of the whopping 48 shots that were thrown at her./

Standings

TEAMGPWLOTLPts.ROW
Minnesota Whitecaps330062
Toronto Six421152
Metropolitan Riveters321042
Connecticut Whale321041
Boston Pride413021
Buffalo Beauts302110

Thursday’s Schedule

Two games are on the docket for Thursday, and both can be streamed for free on twitch.tv/nwhl.

  • Metropolitan Riveters vs. Buffalo Beauts | 5:30 p.m. ET
  • Minnesota Whitecaps vs. Connecticut Whale | 8:30 p.m. ET/