Author: Shaggy901516

Whale Re-Sign Leading Scorer Vlasic

News from the Connecticut Whale today, as they re-signed their rookie forward Emma Vlasic, who will return for her second season with the Whale.

Vlasic in the 24 games she played in her rookie season, she accounted for 9 goals with the Whale, which led the team in goals and she was also tied for third on the team in points. She was also tied for the team lead in power play goals with 2.

In her rookie season, she was named to the NWHL All Star game, playing for Team Dempsey.

team dempsey

In the 2 playoff games that the Whale played this season, while she did not find the back of the net, she did tally 3 assists. Which, as of the time of writing this, is tied for the league lead in scoring, for the playoffs.

The Whale center will look to build off this incredible rookie campaign next season.

 

TXHT will continue to provide NWHL coverage as more signings and news are announced.

 

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Whale Re-Sign Wolejko

Big news today for the Connecticut Whale, as they re-signed their number 1 goalie, Brooke Wolejko. No, this is not an April Fools joke, she will be back with the Whale next season!

Brooke Wolejko has dressed 22 games for the Whale, and has a record of 2-8-1. She holds a 3.62 GAA, while also having a .914 save percentage. In her 2 playoff games, she’s 1-1-0 with a 3.52 GAA and a .909 save percentage.

Though she was not named an All Star this season, or Goalie of the Year, or any of the major NWHL honors, it can not be stated enough how important she is to the Whale. She was definitely the team’s MVP.

Also to note, Wolejko was the third different number 1 starter in the past 3 seasons for Connecticut. With this signing, it will hopefully give the Whale some stability in net moving forward.

 

TXHT will continue to provide NWHL coverage as more signings and news are announced.

 

Sponsored by:

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Remembering My First NWHL Game

So, I woke up this morning at my usual time of 6a to let the dogs out and make sure they are fed breakfast.

Addi and Arlo

(Here is a picture of them. ♥)

Usually, I take that time to read a little bit of Twitter and Facebook, to see what I’ve missed since I was asleep. Nothing major, just Tom Brady leaving the Patriots for the Buccaneers.

So I flipped to my Facebook, and take a gander of my memories. Yesterday was the 5th anniversary of buying my Subaru; however, today I found out that it is the 2 year anniversary of attending my first NWHL game. It just so happened to be a playoff game between the Metropolitan Riveters and the Connecticut Whale.

Permit me to flashing back to the NWHL season in 2017, I had known about the league through the TXHT podcast, when I was live tweeting for them. One particular day, they had a guest, Anya Battaglino (now Anya Packer), a Whale defender/forward on. I remember enjoying listening to her talking and being so passionate about the game, as I sat on my keyboard to type out the things she said, and share her social media stuff to try and help.

The next season in 2018, I ended up getting my first NWHL jersey. I did a Twitter poll to figure out which player to get. The four choices were Anya Battaglino, Sophia Agostinelli, Emily Fluke, and Sydney Rossman. Eventually it was Battaglino who won the poll and I got her jersey.

I had been watching a couple of games whenever I could, and found myself really enjoying it. However if there is one true measure, there is something to be said about experiencing games live. So I bought a ticket, it was only like $20, and I set out on my adventure with this women’s hockey league, not knowing what to expect. Truth be told, this was the first time that I had traveled to Newark, NJ.

NWHL ticket

It took 4 hours, but I arrived early. One thing about Barnabas Health Hockey Place is that one, it is in downtown Newark, but also, it is right next to Prudential Center, where the New Jersey Devils play. I managed to snap a pic of the Marty Brodeur statue outside, and sent the pic to a friend, who is a massive Devils fan.

Marty Brodeur

The seating was general admission, and I found myself with a pretty good view, as it was right by the Connecticut Whale bench to watch warm-ups and the game.

Whale warmups

Whale

I’ll go over a quick recap of the game. The goalie match up was Katie Fitzgerald for the Riveters, and Sydney Rossman for the Whale. The Riveters jumped out to a quick lead, after a minute into the game, the goal coming from Rebecca Russo. This got the crowd going and the Riveters dominated play. However at the end of the first period, the Riveters only had a 1-0 lead.

In the second period, it was more of the same, dominance from the Riveters and eventually a breakthrough for them, as Erika Lawler would net a goal a little over halfway through the second period.

Unfortunately in the third period, the wheels came off from the Whale. About halfway through, when the Whale were on the power play, Madison Packer got a breakaway and scored while short handed. This really deflated any possible notion of a Whale comeback, because shortly after, the Riveters would get two more goals in quick fashion. Goals coming from Bray Ketchum and Kelly Nash. Rossman would depart from the game after the Ketchum goal and Keira Goin would finish the game. It ended with the final score being 5-0 in favor of the home team.

Whale after game

Not the best result for the first game attending, but I didn’t care. I got to see some amazing athletes playing hockey, and at a very high level. I know it’s cliche and I also know I said it earlier, but there really is truly something to be said about experiencing hockey games live, that is awesome.

What didn’t dawn on me at the time, was the ability to be able to talk to the players after the game. Somebody noticed my Whale jersey, and we got to chatting. It turned out later that it was one of the player’s family. Not a couple of minutes later, I found myself talking with Sophia Agostinelli, a forward who happened to be scratched that game. Sophia and I

Shortly after that, I also got to talk with then Whale forward Jamie Goldsmith, and that conversation was incredible as well.

After this, I found myself on my way home, but while I was driving, I was listening to a different podcast that happened to talk about women’s hockey and it had a Whale player on it. It was thoroughly enjoyable, and I knew then that I was gonna be a Whale fan, and an NWHL fan for life. That I would promote these athletes and the game to the best of my ability. Also that I would do my best to travel to more games, which I did!

 

In the Semifinals, Whale fall to the Pride

The Whale skated off against the Boston Pride in the semifinals of the NWHL playoffs. The Whale beat the Buffalo Beauts in the play in game to get here. Starting for the Whale would be their starter Brooke Wolejko, and starting for the Pride would be their star goalie Lovisa Selander.

In the first period, the Boston Pride scored first, it would take just about half the period to do so. The goal would come from former Whale forward Emily Fluke. The assist on the play would come from her line mate Mary Parker. The Pride would take a 1-0 lead heading into intermission.

In the second period, the Whale would get on the board and tie up the game. The goal would take a little over half the period to get. The goal coming from their All Star, Grace Klienbach. The tie would be short lived though, as the captain of the Pride, Jillian Dempsey would net a goal giving Boston the lead back. The Pride would take a 2-1 lead heading into the third.

In the third, the Whale would really press the game, giving up some offensive chances in the process. It lead to a goal, just a little before half way in the period. The goal was a roof shot coming from Christina Putigna. 9 minutes later Kaleigh Fratkin would put the dagger in the comeback hopes. Very late in the game, the Whale would take a penalty and the Pride would take advantage of it, adding insult to injury. The goal coming from Jordan Juron. The Pride would finish the game up 5-1 and will face the Minnesota Whitecaps in the finals.

Starting Whale goalie Brooke Wolejko faced 47 Pride shots and she made 42 saves, while Pride starting goalie Lovisa Selander faced 30 Whale shots and made 29 saves.

 

Whale Fight Hard, Once Again Fall Short

In the final game of the regular season, the Whale would once again face the Whitecaps. Amanda Leveille would get the start for the Whitecaps, and the Whale would turn to Sonjia Shelly for the starting duties.

In the first period, the Whitecaps would get the lead first. The goal coming from Meghan Lorence, her 10th goal of the season. The assists on the play came from Stephanie Anderson and Jonna Curtis. The Whitecaps had a 1-0 lead after the first period.

There was no scoring in the second period, and the Whitecaps maintained their lead heading into the third. In the third period, the Whitecaps would get off to a fast start, scoring before the period was three minutes old and doubling their lead. The goal coming from Nicole Schammel, her 11th goal of the season. The Whale would cut into the lead, the goal coming from Sarah Schwenzfeier, her second goal of the weekend and her 6th goal of the season. The assists came from Taylor Marchin and Janine Weber. The Whitecaps would restore their 2 goal lead, the goal coming via the power play. The goal was scored by Audra Richards, her 9th goal of the season; setting a new career high in goals for her. Assists on the play came from Allie Thunstrom and Jonna Curtis. The game would finish as a 3-1 victory in favor of the Whitecaps.

Both goalies were once again brilliant as Amanda Leveille would face 49 Whale shots and she made 48 saves. As for Sonjia Shelly, she faced 42 Whitecaps shots and came up with 39 saves.

The next game for the Connecticut Whale will be against the Buffalo Beauts in Buffalo. That game to take place on March 6th. This game will be a playoff game!

Fundraisers

For those keeping track at home, Shannon Doyle registered 2 blocked shot today, still giving her a total of 62 blocks on the year. She is donating a $1 for every block she records for her fundraiser Blocks For Books. Here is the link for those who want to make a donation too:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/1s6bzhbt5c

Kendra Broad did not dress today, but she still has 30 shots on goal. Please check out the charity that she is fundraising for. She is also donating $2 for every shot on goal for Mental Health Connecticut. Here is a link for those who want to make a donation too:

https://mhconn.networkforgood.com/projects/83116-kendra-broad-s-fundraiser

Whale Fight Hard But Get Rolled By The Caps

It’s the final weekend of regular season hockey for the Connecticut Whale, and they will play their final games against the Minnesota Whitecaps.

In the first period the Whitecaps got off to a really fast start, as Meaghan Pezon would score the first goal of the game, when the game was not even a minute old. Then one minute later, Allie Thunstrom would double the lead. With the assist on the play coming from Jonna Curtis. 12 minutes later, the Whitecaps would strike again, as former Whale forward Sam Donovan would notch her first career NWHL goal. The assists on the play came from Lisa Martinson and Nicole Schammel. Before the end of the first period, the Whale would cut into the lead, the goal coming from Sarah Schwenzfeier. It would be her fifth goal of the season, with the assists coming from Elena Orlando and Shannon Doyle. The Whitecaps would take a 3-1 lead heading into the second.

In the second period, the Whitecaps would get off to another fast start as they would add another goal, with the period not even 5 minutes old. The goal came from Jonna Curtis, her second point of the game. Assists coming from Allie Thunstrom and Meaghan Pezon, both of their second points of the game. A minute later, the Whale would strike back, the goal coming from their captain, Shannon Doyle. Janine Weber had the assist on the play. 5 minutes later, Allie Thunstrom would tally her second goal of the game. Assists on the play came from Meaghan Pezon and Jonna Curtis, both their third point of the game. The Whale would once again, strike back with a goal. The goal coming from Elena Gualtieri, her second goal of the season. Assists on the play came from Grace Klienbach and Shannon Doyle, her second point of the game. The Whitecaps would take a 5-3 lead heading into the third.

In the third period, the Whitecaps would once again get off to a fast start to get momentum. They would score 2 minutes into the period, the goal coming once again from Allie Thunstrom, completing the hat trick. The assist on the play came from Jonna Curtis, her fourth point of the game. Things would settle down for both goalies as they would come up with the answers for both teams offensive rushes. As the Whitecaps would finish the game on top 6-3.

Amanda Leveille would face 37 Whale shots and she came up with 34 saves. While Brooke Wolejko would face 55 Whitecaps shots and she stopped 49 of them.

Fundraisers

For those keeping track at home, Shannon Doyle didn’t register a blocked shot today, still giving her a total of 60 blocks on the year. She is donating a $1 for every block she records for her fundraiser Blocks For Books. Here is the link for those who want to make a donation too:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/1s6bzhbt5c

Kendra Broad did not dress today, but she still has 30 shots on goal. Please check out the charity that she is fundraising for. She is also donating $2 for every shot on goal for Mental Health Connecticut. Here is a link for those who want to make a donation too:

https://mhconn.networkforgood.com/projects/83116-kendra-broad-s-fundraiser

 

Wolejko Sharp But Whale Shutout

NWHL history was made today at Webster Bank Arena, which is the home of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. It was a part of the NWHL/AHL double header where the Whale would square off against the Pride in the beginning, and the Sound Tigers would later host the Hershey Bears.

For the Whale, they would turn to their main starter Brooke Wolejko; and for the Pride, they would go with their star, Lovisa Selander.

In the first period, there was just utter domination by the league leading Pride. However, it would take 8 minutes for the first goal of the game, and it would come from McKenna Brand, with the assist coming from Christina Putigna. 8 minutes later, the Pride would double their lead, with the goal coming from Christina Putigna, the assist coming from Mallory Souliotis. The period would end with the Pride up 2-0. The shot count favored the Pride 18-4.

There was no scoring in the second period, and the shot count once again favored the Pride in the period, 10-3.

In the third, we were heading for no scoring once again, but with the Whale chasing the game, the Pride would add an empty net goal with less than 2 minutes remaining. The empty net insurance goal coming from Mary Parker. Once again, the shot count would favor the Pride, 16-1; and the Pride would secure the 3-0 victory.

Lovisa Selander would be perfect, facing 8 shots and making 8 saves. Brooke Wolejko was incredible today facing 43 shots and making 41 saves.

https://www.nwhl.zone/stats#/100/game/268130/boxscore

Fundraisers

For those keeping track at home, Shannon Doyle didn’t register a blocked shot today, still giving her a total of 60 blocks on the year. She is donating a $1 for every block she records for her fundraiser Blocks For Books. Here is the link for those who want to make a donation too:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/1s6bzhbt5c

Kendra Broad did not dress today, but she still has 30 shots on goal. Please check out the charity that she is fundraising for. She is also donating $2 for every shot on goal for Mental Health Connecticut. Here is a link for those who want to make a donation too:

https://mhconn.networkforgood.com/projects/83116-kendra-broad-s-fundraiser

 

 

Sponsored by:

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Pride Secure First Place

The All Star festivities are over and it’s time to get back on the ice and make the stretch run to the playoffs. The first opponents for the Whale is the Boston Pride. Starting in net for the Pride would be their All Star goalie Lovisa Selander and for the Whale, they would go with Brooke Wolejko.

In the first period, the Whale managed to do what no other team has done so far in the NWHL season. They kept the Boston Pride off the score board, despite the fact they were out-shot in the period.

In the second, it was more of the same. The Pride came out with a lot of momentum, trying to establish the lead. The Whale held them off, with Wolejko seemingly having all the answers for the Pride attack. However, with a little less than 4 minutes remaining in the period, Lexie Laing would stuff home a rebound to give the Pride the 1-0 lead heading into the third. Assist on the play came from Kaleigh Fratkin.

In the third period, the Pride got off to a fast start with captain Jillian Dempsey netting a goal very early in the period to double the Pride’s lead. Assists on the play came from McKenna Brand and Christina Putigna. After some more back and forth chances, the Whale would get on the board and cut the lead in half. The goal coming from Kaycie Anderson, her third goal of the season. Assist on the play came from Janine Weber.

With the Whale chasing the game and pressing hard, Hanna Beattie took an unfortunate tripping penalty late in the game. On the ensuing power play, the Pride would score to restore their 2 goal lead. The goal coming from Mallory Souliotis and the assist coming from Kaleigh Fratkin, her second point of the game. Alyssa Wohlfeiler would add an empty net goal, with assists coming from both her line mates Mary Parker and Emily Fluke, to secure the 4-1 win for the Pride.

Both goalies played extremely well with Selander facing 23 shots and making 22 saves in the process. While Wolejko would face 49 shots and she saved 46 of them. She earned the 3rd star of the game honors for her effort.

Fundraisers

For those keeping track at home, Shannon Doyle added 1 blocked shot today, giving her a total of 60 blocks on the year. She is donating a $1 for every block she records for her fundraiser Blocks For Books. Here is the link for those who want to make a donation too:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/1s6bzhbt5c

Also, for those keeping track at home, Kendra Broad had 1 shot on goal today, giving her a total of 30 shots on goal for the season. She is also donating $2 for every shot on goal for Mental Health Connecticut. Here is a link for those who want to make a donation too:

https://mhconn.networkforgood.com/projects/83116-kendra-broad-s-fundraiser

 

Sponsored by:

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By The Numbers: Madison Packer

The NWHL announced before the start of this season that the league would be expanding the number of games the teams will play. I want to take a look at the players stats to see how players are taking advantage of the extended schedule and possible expanded roles on their respective teams. Today, we will be looking at the heart and soul of the Metropolitan Riveters and original NWHL member Madison Packer.

Madison Packer played four years of college hockey at the University of Wisconsin, in which she had played 146 games for the program. She tallied 46 goals and added 58 assists for a grand total of 104 points. Which is good for 26th all time for the illustrious program. (According to Elite Prospects.) After missing only a year’s worth of hockey, she signed for the newly formed NWHL league.

In her rookie year for the league, she played in 16 games for the then New York Riveters. She managed to find the back of the net 3 times and would add 4 assists for 7 points on the year. Her point totals would tie her for fifth on the team. In the playoffs that year, she played 2 games and found the back of the net once.

Not suffering any sophomore slumps, she would improve on her numbers by playing 17 games for the renamed Metropolitan Riveters, in which she would score 8 goals and add 5 assists for a total of 13 points on the year. Which would once again place her in fifth on the team in point totals. In the playoffs that year, she would tally an assist in the one game she played.

In her third year in the league, she played in 5 less games than her previous season, but that didn’t stop her scoring, she would net 10 goals and add another 8 assists for 18 points on the year. Which would move her to third on the team in points, having played in 4 less games than those around her. In the playoffs, she played two games and scored once and added 2 assists as the Riveters went on to win the Isobel Cup that year!

In her fourth year in the league, she would suffer only a slight dip in numbers. Her point per game rate went from 1.5 her previous year, to just under a point per game at 0.9. She still managed to net 8 goals and add 5 assists for 13 points for the season. It would be good for second on the team in terms of points, and tied for the team lead for goals. While she didn’t score in the playoffs, she was a force to be reckoned with in the 2 games she played.

In this current NWHL season, and with the expanded schedule, she is currently lighting up the league. At the start of the season, she was given a greater role on the team, being named captain of the Riveters.

She has taken the role in stride, as she has netted a career high 12 goals and added another high with 17 assists for 29 points on the year. She is third in the league in points, and she currently has a tie for the league lead in power play goals. Currently for the Riveters, she leads the teams in points and also is once again tied for the team lead in goals.

Packer was named captain for the NWHL All Star Game, which will take place in Boston.

She has definitely taken full advantage of having an expanded schedule. She is primed for many great things for the rest of the year. I very much look forward to seeing how she’ll do with the remaining 5 games.

 

Previous By The Number Articles:

Emily Fluke (Boston Pride)

Audra Richards (Minnesota Whitecaps)

Kayla Meneghin (Connecticut Whale)

Taylor Accursi (Buffalo Beauts)

 

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By The Numbers: Taylor Accursi

The NWHL announced before the start of this season that the league would be expanding the number of games the teams will play. I want to take a look at the players stats to see how players are taking advantage of the extended schedule and possible expanded roles on their respective teams. Today, we will be looking at the numbers of the Beauts top goal scorer, Taylor Accursi.

Taylor Accursi played her college hockey at Mercyhurst University. She tallied 15 goals and added 23 assists for a total of 38 points, in the four years she played for the program. Which is good for 62nd all time for the program. (According to Elite Prospects.)

She would sign for the, then champion, Buffalo Beauts. In her rookie season, she would manage to dress for 15 games that season, where she would net 6 goals and add 5 assists for a total of 11 points that year. That would land her fourth on the team in points and would place her second on the team in goals. Unfortunately, she would not manage to find the back of the net in the 2 playoff games she played, as the Beauts would be bounced by the Riveters in the finals.

In her sophomore season, she would re-sign with the Beauts. She would suffer a slight dip in her numbers but she put up a respectable 4 goals and would add 2 assists for 6 points on the year. It would tie her for 11th on the team in points and she would also be in a four way tie for 4th on the team in goals, as she was on a pretty stacked Buffalo Beauts team that season. Unfortunately, she would once again not find the back of the net in her 2 playoff games that she would dress for. As once again the Beauts would be defeated in the NWHL finals by the Minnesota Whitecaps.

Accursi would once again re-sign for the Buffalo Beauts returning for her third season with the team. This year, has been an absolute breakout year for her. First, Accursi was named an alternate captain for the Beauts this season, but currently, she is leading the team in terms of goals and points! She has scored 15 goals so far this season, while adding 8 assists for a grand total of 23 points. She is currently producing at a rate of over a point per game, and the Beauts still have 6 more games to play!

An interesting note on how good her season has been this year? She netted her first career hat trick against the Minnesota Whitecaps, but more impressively, she managed to score 4 goals in one period against the Riveters in the NWHL’s first outdoor game in Buffalo. She single-handedly willed her team back into the game, before they unfortunately lost 7-4 that game. Not suprisingly, she was named an NWHL All Star and will be heading to Boston to play for Team Dempsey.

She has definitely taken full advantage of having an expanded schedule. She is primed for many great things for the rest of the year. Maybe another trip to the Isobel Cup finals, as she is 2 for 2 on getting there. I very much look forward to seeing how she’ll do with the remaining 6 games.

 

 

 

Previous By The Number Articles:

Emily Fluke (Boston Pride)

Audra Richards (Minnesota Whitecaps)

Kayla Meneghin (Connecticut Whale)

 

Sponsored by:

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