The Connecticut Whale squared off against the Boston Pride on Groundhog’s Day tonight at the Warrior Ice Arena. The Whale played a solid game, but unfortunately fell short against the Pride; dropping this game 3-1. This also pushes the Whale losing streak to seven games.
News and Notes
The Whale had some signings to announce before this game. As suspected, Colleen Murphy will join the Whale for the rest of the season to bring some stability on the back line.
The Whale also announced that they had signed former goalie Shenae Lundberg to a professional tryout.
1st Period
In the first period, the Boston Pride got off to a great start; getting a goal about a minute and twenty seconds into the game. The goal was scored by Denisa Krizova, giving the Pride the momentum from the start and establishing a good fore-check.
Before the end of the first period, it looked like the Whale were going to be down a goal heading into intermission, Rachael Ade took a shot on the left side of the half boards and it beat Katie Burt to tie the game at one all.
The goal for Ade is her first NWHL goal, and her first on the season!
2nd Period
The Boston Pride came out flying again in the second period, and about two minutes into the second period, Jillian Dempsey cleaned up a rebound in the slot, shooting it past Lundberg. The goal was the ninth of the year for Dempsey.
After the goal, there was good back and forth action between the two teams, however the defenses played a little tighter and the goalies were coming up large with some great saves.
3rd Period
The action in the first half of the third period was a lot like the end of the second. There was great back and forth action, and great saves by Burt and Lundberg.
In the second half of the third period, at the nine minute mark, Shannon Doyle got called for a hooking penalty. It knocked Denisa Krizova out of the game for a little bit of time. On the ensuing power play, Toni Ann Miano scooped up a rebound to get the Pride an insurance marker.
After the power play goal, Rachael Ade took a hooking call, sending the Pride back to the power play. Before the puck fell, obviously upset with the call, the referees escorted Emily Fluke to the box. After a brief stint in the box, and still before the puck dropped, the refs then escorted Emily Fluke off the ice. Officially on the boxscore, they gave Fluke a ten minute unsportsmanlike conduct misconduct, with zero minutes. Meaning that the Whale would not be five on three.
After that bit of craziness, the Pride played lock down on defense and kept the Whale shots to a minimum and gave them no significant offensive chances. Katie Burt sealed the deal for a Pride win, making 25 saves on 26 shots.
Boxscore
https://www.nwhl.zone/game/show/22207070?subseason=512423&referrer=4170047
3 Stars of the Game
Shenae Lundberg: She played really solid on her debut. Making 22 saves on 25 shots, as she was really in the zone.
Rachael Ade: Scoring the lone goal for the Whale tonight, she had a beautiful shot on the half boards to tie the game at one before the end of the first period. It is also her first NWHL goal!
Shannon Doyle: She got the assist on the Rachael Ade goal, giving her six points on the year. She currently has a four game point streak, heading into the All Star Break.
The next game that the Whale play will be on February 24th as they look to exact some revenge against the Boston Pride in Stamford, CT.
Next weekend is the NWHL All Star Game in Nashville, TN. Where Shannon Doyle, Emily Fluke, Michelle Löwenhielm, and Katerina Mrázová will be participating.
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