NWHL Weekend Recap Playoff Edition

Welcome to the TXHT NWHL Weekend Recap for the Weekend of Friday, March 6th and Sunday, March 8th, 2020, plus news coming out of the weekend.

 

Friday, March 6th, 2020

Game #1 – #5 Connecticut Whale v. #4 Buffalo Beauts

  • In Buffalo for the Isobel Cup Play-In game, the Beauts would play host to the Connecticut Whale. For the Beauts they would get a goal per period from Corinne Buie, Mikyla Grant-Mentis, and Megan Delay, but it would not be enough as Katelynn Russ and Hanna Beattie would both net a pair of goals, and Allie Lacombe would score in the final seconds of the game to give the Whale the 5-3 victory, and will now move on to face the Boston Pride in the Semi-Finals on Sunday.

 

Sunday, March 8th, 2020

Game #1 – #3 Metropolitan Riveters v. #2 Minnesota Whitecaps

  • Holy Smokes! What a game as the Whitecaps defeat the Riveters 1-0 in overtime in a spectacular goaltending dual to move on to the #IsobelCup Final. Sam Walther would stop 30 of 31 shots for the Riveters, and Amanda Leveille would stop all 28 shots to record the shutout for the Whitecaps while Allie Thunstrom would net the lone goal of the game in this overtime thriller.

 

Game #2 – #5 Connecticut Whale v. #1 Boston Pride

  • In Boston the Connecticut Whale come to town looking to pull the upset on the top ranked Pride. In the first period Emily Fluke would strike to get the Pride on the board first, and then in the second period Grace Lienbach would tie the game at one, but Jillian Dempsey would score to retake the one goal lead for the Pride. In the third period Christina Putigna would score a beautiful wrister to give the Pride the two goal lead, and Kaleigh Fratkin would send the puck all the way down and into the empty net, and Jordan Juron would score late on the powerplay to give the Pride the 5-1 victory.

 

Isobel Cup Championship

#2 Minnesota Whitecaps v. #1 Boston Pride

  • Friday, March 13th at 715p ET

 

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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.

 

Isobel Cup Semi-Finals Recap – Metropolitan Riveters v. Minnesota Whitecaps

#3 Metropolitan Riveters v. #2 Minnesota Whitecaps

 

Game Recap:

In Minnesota the Whitecaps would host the Metropolitan Riveters for the first Isobel Cup Semi-Final matchup. In the first period it would be a very tightly contested period with both teams trading chances and powerplays to try to take the lead, but both Sam Walther and Amanda Leveille would be up to the task to keep the game scoreless.

 

In the second period the Whitecaps would outshoot the Riveters 12-4, but it would be Walther with highlight reel save after highlight reel save as both teams would remain scoreless as they head into the second intermission.

 

Then in the third period both teams would continue to trade chances and powerplay opportunities, but this game continues to remain scorless thanks to the work of Walther and Leveille as this game now heads into overtime.

 

Then in overtime it would be co-MVP Allie Thunstrom picking up the garbage in front of the Riveters net to give the Whitecaps the 1-0 victory and will move on to defend their crown in the Isobel Cup Championship next weekend.

 

Lineups:

Metropolitan Riveters:

Kate Leary – Kelly Nash – Madison Packer

Mallory Rushton – Kendall Cornine – Jayne Lewis

Haley Frade – Cailey Hutchison – Brooke Baker

Brooke Avery – Tatiana Shatalova

Leila Kilduff – Rebecca Morse

Colleen Murphy – Kiira Dosdall-Arena

Ashley Johnston

Sam Walther

Dana DeMartino

 

Minnesota Whitecaps:

Jonna Curtis – Meaghan Pezon – Allie Thunstrom

Nicole Schammel – Haylea Schmid – Megan Lorence

Stephanie Anderson – Lauren Barnes – Audra Richards

Kalli Funk

Sydney Baldwin – Emma Stauber

Amanda Boulier – Winny Brodt Brown

Lisa Martinson – Chelsey Rosenthal

Amanda Leveille

Allie Morse

 

First Period:

MIN Penalty – 15:29 – Meghan Lorence 2 minutes for Cross Checking

MET Penalty – 18:02 – Ashley Johnston 2 minutes for Interference

 

End of 1st – MET – 0       MIN – 0

Shots              13                 09

PP                 0/1                  0/1

 

Second Period:

MIN Penalty – 3:29 – Lisa Martinson 2 minutes for Roughing

MET Penalty – 12:25 – Cailey Hutchison 2 minutes for Hooking

MIN Penalty – 15:26 – Lauren Barnes 2 minutes for Roughing

MET Penalty – 15:26 – Kelly Nash 2 minutes for Roughing

 

End of 2nd – MET – 0       MIN – 0

Shots              17                 21

PP                 0/2                  0/2

 

Third Period:

MET Penalty – 2:47 – Cailey Hutchison 2 minutes for Hooking

MIN Penalty – 8:16 – Jonna Curtis 2 minutes for Tripping

MET Penalty – 19:57 – Madison Packer 2 minutes for Holding

 

End of 3rd – MET – 0       MIN – 0

Shots              25                 25

PP                 0/3                  0/4

 

Overtime:

MIN Goal – 6:39 – Allie Thunstrom (1) from Jonna Curtis (1)

 

End of OT – MET – 0       MIN – 1

Shots              28                 31

PP                 0/3                  0/4

 

Next Up:

Isobel Cup Championship Game

#2 Minnesota Whitecaps v. #5 Connecticut or #1 Boston

 

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Isobel Cup Play-In Game Recap – Connecticut Whale v. Buffalo Beauts

#5 Connecticut Whale v. #4 Buffalo Beauts

 

Game Recap:

In Buffalo at the Northtown Rink the fourth ranked Beauts play host to the fifth ranked Connecticut Whale for the right to face off with the first overall Boston Pride in the Semi-Finals on Sunday. In the first period in the opening minutes of the game Beauts captain Corinne Buie would strike first to give the Beauts the 1-0 lead, however, the Whale would fight back as they would get back to back unassisted goals from Hanna Beattie and Katelynn Russ to take the 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

 

In the second period the Whale would take the first penalty, but the Beauts would not be able to take advantage of it, but they would take advantage of a missed call as Mikyla Grant-Mentis would score to tie the game at two. However, what comes around goes around as the Beauts would get called for body checking and it would be Russ netting her second of the game, this time on the powerplay to give the Whale the one goal lead back. Then later in the period Beattie would net her second of the game to grow the Whale’s lead to two as they head into the second intermission with the 4-2 lead.

 

Then in the third period after a very hard fought period Megan Delay would score with four minutes left in regulation to bring the Beauts back within one, but then things would get very chippy as both teams would be called within seven seconds of each other to cause the remainder of the game to be played four on four. However with 22 seconds remaining Allie Lacombe would score to give the Whale the 5-3 victory, and will move on to face the Boston Pride this Sunday at 230p ET.

 

Lineups:

Connecticut Whale:

Allie LaCombe – Emma Vlasic – Katelynn Russ

Kaycie Anderson – Sarah Schwenzfeier – Janine Weber

Elena Gualtieri – Jane Morrisette – Grace Klienbach

Alexa Aramburu
Hanna Beattie / Shannon Doyle

Elena Orlando / Taylor Marchin

Laurel Hill / Brinna Dochniak

Brooke Wolejko

Sonjia Shelly

 

Buffalo Beauts:

Taylor Accursi – Mikyla Grant-Mentis – Corinne Buie

Kristin Lewicki – Cassidy MacPherson – Erin Gehen

Kandice Sheriff – Becki Bowering – Iveta Klimášová

Kim Brown

Lenka Čurmová / Meg Delay

Sara Bustad / Marie-Jo Pelletier

Richelle Skarbowski / Ana Orzechowski

Lea-Kristine Demers

Mariah Fujimagari

 

First Period:

BUF Goal – 3:42 – Corinne Buie (1) from Mikyla Grant-Mentis (1) and Taylor Accursi (1)

CT Goal – 15:02 – Hanna Beattie (1) from unassisted

CT Goal – 19:02 – Katelynn Russ (1) from unassisted

 

End of 1st – CT – 2       BUF – 1

Shots              12                 07

PP                 0/0                  0/0

 

Second Period:

CT Penalty – :28 – Jane Morrisette 2 minutes for Tripping

BUF Goal – 4:19 – Mikyla Grant-Mentis (1) from Taylor Accursi (2)

BUF Penalty – 7:42 – Megan Delay 2 minutes for Body Checking

CT PPG – 8:18 – Katelynn Russ (2) from Janine Weber (1) and Emma Vlasic (1)

CT Penalty – 12:12 – Hanna Beattie 2 minutes for Holding

CT Goal – 17:36 – Hanna Beattie (2) from Emma Vlasic (2)

 

End of 2nd – CT – 4       BUF – 2

Shots              19                 19

PP                 1/1                  0/2

 

Third Period:

BUF Goal – 16:04 – Megan Delay (1) from Kristin Lewicki (1) and Marie-Jo Pelletier (1)

BUF Penalty – 18:03 – Sara Bustad 2 minutes for High Sticking

CT Penalty – 18:10 – Taylor Marchin 2 minutes for Hooking

CT Goal – 19:38 – Allie Lacombe (1) from Emma Vlasic (3)

 

End of 3rd – CT – 5       BUF – 3

Shots              26                 31

PP                 1/2                  0/2

 

Next Up:

#5 Connecticut v. #1 Boston

#3 Metropolitan v. #2 Minnesota

 

Sponsored by:

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NWHL 2019-20 Awards Recap

With the 2019-20 regular season completed for the NWHL, it is time to announce this season’s award winners.

 

NWHL Foundation Award

  • Lexi Bender (Boston Pride)
  • Jordan Brickner (Connecticut Whale)
  • Rebecca Morse (Metropolitan Riveters)
  • Emma Ruggiero (Buffalo Beauts)
  • Allie Thunstrom (Minnesota Whitecaps)

2020 Foundation

 

NWHL Fan’s Three Stars

  • Amanda Leveille (Minnesota Whitecaps)
  • Marie-Jo Pelletier (Buffalo Beauts)
  • Brooke Wolejko (Connecticut Whale)

2020 Fan 3 Stars

 

Newcomer of the Year

  • Kate Leary (Metropolitan Riveters)
    • Leary would record 16 goals and 11 assists for 27 points which would tie for first amongst all newcomers this season. Leary also set the Riveters franchise record for goals in a season, and second highest scoring season in franchise history.

2020 Newcomer

 

Goaltender of the Year

  • Lovisa Selander (Boston Pride)
    • Selander would lead all NWHL goaltenders with 17 wins, a .941 save percentage, and a 1.71 goals aggainst average to help led the Pride to a near perfect season. Selander’s 17 wins also sets an NWHL single season record for most wins by a goalie.

2020 Goalie

 

Defender of the Year

  • Kaleigh Fratkin (Boston Pride)
    • Fratkin would place second amongst blue liners with 3 goals and 20 assists for 23 points in 24 games played this season, which would also rank as the second highest scoring season by a defender in NWHL history. Fratkin would also become the first defender to reach 60 career NWHL points.

2020 Defender

 

Most Valuable Player

  • Jillian Dempsey (Boston Pride)
    • Dempsey would lead the MWHL in scoring with 40 points (17g, 23a), and became the first player in NWHL history to reach 40 points in an NWHL season. Dempsey would also record 15 multi-point games, and a point in 21 of her 24 games played.
  • Allie Thunstrom (Minnesota Whitecaps)
    • Thunstrom would establish a new NWHL record with 24 goals in a season, and would finish second in the league in scoring with 36 points in 24 games played. Thunstrom would record 19 of her 24 goals at even strength (another NWHL record), and recorded nine multi-point games this season.

2020 MVP

 

* All graphics courtesy of the NWHL.

 

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NWHL February Player of the Month

The National Women’s Hockey League has named Minnesota Whitecaps forward Jonna Curtis the February Player of the Month.

 

Curtis would record three goals and six assist for the month of February, and have a two assist game in the lone regular season game for March. Curtis would also record four consecutive multi-point games for the Whitecaps to finish the season strong. She would also finish the season tied with teammate Allie Thunstrom for the Whitecaps lead in points with 36.

 

Congratulations to Jonna on becoming the February NWHL Player of the Month.

 

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NWHL Weekend Recap

Welcome to the TXHT NWHL Weekend Recap for the Weekend of Saturday, February 29th and Sunday, March 1st, 2020, plus news coming out of the weekend.

 

Saturday, February 29th, 2020

Game #1 – Buffalo Beauts v. Metropolitan Riveters

  • At ProSkate the Riveters would host the Beauts for their final weekend series of the 2019-20 season, and in the first period it would be the Riveters with tallies from Brooke Baker and Jayne Lewis. Then in the second period the Beauts would respond with goals from Mikyla Grant-Mentis and Cassidy MacPherson to tie the game at two. However, in the third period the Riveters would get goals from Madison Packer, Leila Kilduff, and Kendall Cornine to give the Riveters the 5-2 victory.

 

Game #2 – Connecticut Whale v. Minnesota Whitecaps

  • In Minnesota for their regular season finale with Connecticut, the Whitecaps would double up the Whale 6-3 to win the first game of their weekend series. Allie Thunstrom would net the hat trick, along with goals from Meaghan Pezon, Sam Donovan, and Jonna Curtis (who also had three assists) would lead the Whitecaps to the victory. Sarah Schwenzfeier, Shannon Doyle, and Elena Gualtieri would score for the Whale.

 

Sunday, March 1st, 2020

Game #1 – Connecticut Whale v. Minnesota Whitecaps

  • In both team’s final regular season game for 2019-20 it would be the hometown Whitecaps getting the best of a very game Whale to sweep the weekend and regular season series. In the first period Meghan Lorence would score for the Whitecaps to take the 1-0 lead. Then after a scoreless second period Sarah Schwenzfeier would score for the Whale, but goals from Nicole Schammel and Audra Richards would give the Whitecaps the 3-1 victory.

 

Game #2 – Buffalo Beauts v. Metropolitan Riveters

  • Over at ProSkate the Riveters would end their weekend series and regular season with one final matchup against the Beauts. After a scoreless first period both Erin Gehen and Corinne Buie would score to give the Beauts the 2-0 lead. Then in the third period Kate Leary would strike for the Riveters, but Mikyla Grant-Mentis would score to regain the two goal lead for the Beauts, and secure the 3-1 victory to end the 2019-20 regular season on a winning note before their play in game on Friday with the Whale.

 

News and Notes

  • The NWHL announced the Foundation Award Winners for the 2019-20 season.
    • Lexi Bender (Boston Pride)
    • Jordan Brickner (Connecticut Whale)
    • Rebecca Morse (Metropolitan Riveters)
    • Emma Ruggiero (Buffalo Beauts)
    • Allie Thunstrom (Minnesota Whitecaps)

 

  • The NWHL Fans’ Three Stars of the Season have been announced.
    • Amanda Leveille (Minnesota Whitecaps)
    • Marie-Jo Pelletier (Buffalo Beauts)
    • Brooke Wolejko (Connecticut Whale)

 

Standings

NWHL Final Standings.JPG

 

Player of the Week

  • Buffalo Beauts forward Mikyla Grant-Mentis would be named the VEDA Player of the Week after making her NWHL debut this past weekend. Grant-Mentis would net two goals and an assist to lead the Beauts to a 1-1 weekend as they face the Connecticut Whale this Friday to play into the Isobel Cup Playoffs.

Mikyla Grant-Mentis

 

* All Graphics Courtesy of the NWHL.

*Photo of Mikyla Grant-Mentis by Kate Frese

 

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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

 

NWHL Weekend Recap

Welcome to the TXHT NWHL Weekend Recap for the Weekend of Saturday, February 22nd and Sunday, February 23rd, 2020, plus news coming out of the weekend.

 

Saturday, February 22nd, 2020

Game #1 – Boston Pride v. Connecticut Whale

  • In a historical first, the Connecticut Whale would host the Boston Pride at Webster Bank Arena as part of the first ever AHL/NWHL double header with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. However, for the Whale their struggles would continue as the Pride would shutout the Whale 3-0 after getting goals from McKenna Brand, Christina Putigna, and Mary Parker.

 

Game #2 – Minnesota Whitecaps v. Buffalo Beauts

  • In Buffalo for their first game of their weekend series with the Minnesota Whitecaps, the Beauts would struggle as the Whitecaps would take the a four goal third period to take the 6-1 victory. Kristin Lewicki would net the lone goal for the Beauts as Meghan Lorence, Meaghan Pezon (two goals), Jonna Curtis, Nina Rodgers, and Brooke White-Lancette would score for the Whitecaps.

 

Sunday, February 23rd, 2020

Game #1 – Minnesota Whitecaps v. Buffalo Beauts

  • In Buffalo the Minnesota Whitecaps remain dominate over the Beauts as they would use a six goal second period to take the 9-3 victory. The Beauts would get goals from Cassidy MacPherson, Marie-Jo Pelletier, and Becki Bowering, but it would be a hat trick for Amanda Boulier, a two goal game for Allie Thunstrom and Haylea Schmid, plus goals from Jonna Curtis and Stephanie Anderson would secure the game for the Whitecaps.

 

Game #2 – Boston Pride v. Metropolitan Riveters

  • In the Final game of the regular season for the Boston Pride, they would finish their sweep of the Metropolitan Riveters in New Jersey with a 5-0 shutout victory. Mary Parker would score a pair of goals, and Jillian Dempsey, McKenna Brand, and Carlee Toews would all score for the Pride in the victory.

 

News and Notes

  • The Playoffs for the NWHL has been set and the schedule for the Semi-Finals have announced.
    • Friday, March 6th, 2020 – 815p ET
      • #5 Connecticut Whale v. #4 Buffalo Beauts
    • Sunday, March 8th, 2020 – 130p ET
      • #3 Metropolitan Riveters v. #2 Minnesota Whitecaps
    • Sunday, March 8th, 2020 – 230p ET
      • Beauts or Whale v. #1 Boston Pride

 

 

Standings

nwhl.JPG

 

Player of the Week

  • Amanda Boulier of the Minnesota Whitecaps and Lovisa Selander of the Boston Pride are both the VEDA Players of the week after having record setting weeks.
    • Selander would record back to back shutouts to record her 16th and 17th wins of the season as the Pride ended the regular season with a 23-1-0 record.
    • Boulier would record her first career hat trick and is the all time goal leader amongst defenders in the NWHL.

IMG_20200225_095804

* All Graphics Courtesy of the NWHL.

 

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