There is some great PHF action lined this weekend with the Metropolitan Riveters and the Minnesota Whitecaps. This is the first time these two teams are seeing each other this season. Here is how the two teams would line up:
Also, special congratulations for Madison Packer, as she skated in her 100th NWHL/PHF game!
There was no scoring in the first period, as the goalies had all the answers for both team’s offensive chances. The Whitecaps had the shot count advantage by a tally of 15-9. In the second period, the first goal of the game would come from the home team. Ashleigh Brykaliuk curled with the puck on the right side, made a cutting move toward the middle. When she got to the right circle, she deked a couple of Riveters defenders, the puck got poked at the last second before Brykaliuk could get the shot off, but the puck slid to Jonna Curtis, who stashed it home in the back of the net.
A minute later, the Whitecaps would then double their lead. A great forecheck by Lexie Laing would cause a turnover by the Riveters net, and a hard charging Allie Thunstrom would get to the puck first and she would snipe the shot over Wolejko’s shoulder.
Before the end of the period, the Whitecaps would get an insurance marker, and establish a 3 goal lead. A great offensive rush by the Whitecaps would get them a 2 on 1. Meaghan Pezon would carry the puck up the left side, she threw a saucer pass that was over the Riveters defender’s stick and on the tape of Allie Thunstrom, who wasted no time getting it on net. The puck would slide under Wolejko’s pads and in the net.
In the third period, the Riveters would cut into the Whitecaps lead. While on the power play, there was great puck movement by the Riveters. Kelly Babstock would throw a pass to Madison Packer, who gave it back to Babstock. She would rifle the shot short side, beating Brenneman, who was fighting through a screen.
A minute later, the Riveters would get another goal, making it a 1 goal game. Kendall Cornine was carrying the puck up the right side. She took a shot at the right circle, but the puck took a wicked deflection off the Whitecaps defender’s foot, and Brenneman couldn’t glove the puck before it floated in the back of the net.
That would be the closest the Riveters would get in their comeback attempt. The Whitecaps would score again and re-establish their two goal lead. On the power play, Jonna Curtis would take the shot on the left side, and the puck would hit the skate of the defender and slide in the net. On the PHF twitter, the goal is credited to Audra Morrison, but on the PHF box score, the goal is officially credited to Jonna Curtis.
The Whitecaps would add an insurance marker via the power play again. The low angle shot of Meaghan Pezon would hit the outside of the net perfectly, where the puck would slide into the slot. Audra Morrison was the first person on the scene and would throw a backhand past Wolejko. The game would end with a Whitecaps victory by a score of 5-2.
Brooke Wolejko of the Riveters would face 32 shots, making 27 saves; while Jenna Brenneman of the Whitecaps would face 31 shots, making 29 saves.
Next Game:
These two teams square off again on Sunday at 3p EST.
PHF News:
While this game was going on, Jeff Marek on Hockey Night in Canada reported that PHF Commissioner Ty Tumminia has notified the PHF Board of Governors that she would not be renewing her contract, but would stay on until after the playoffs have ended.. Nothing official has come out on the PHF Website at this time.
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