BY RANDY SCHULTZ

BUFFALO, NY – Three third period goals was the margin the Connecticut Whale needed in defeating the Buffalo Beauts, 5-2, Sunday afternoon at HarborCenter. The Beauts are now 0-2 on the season.

Kate Buesser scored the game winning goal for the Whale at the 12:14. The Beauts Kelly Steadman, scored her second goal of the season to bring the Beauts within one, 3-2, at 1701.

But Molly Engstrom came back for the Whale just 52 seconds later to make it 4-2. Kaleigh Fratkin rounded out the scoring for Connecticut with an empty net goal.

Buffalo outshot Connecticut in the third period, 16-9. The Whale outshot the Beauts, 43-34 for the game.

Connecticut took a 2-1 lead at the 9:28 mark of the second period. Sam Faber deflected a shot by defenseman Kaleigh Fratkin past McLaughlin. It was a power play goal.

The Whale outshot the Beauts, 16-8.

The Whale opened up the game’s scoring at the 4:10 mark of the first period. Forward Kelly Babstock tallied her first goal of the season to give the Whale an early 1-0 lead.

Buffalo tied it up, 1-1, at the 16:12 mark when forward Meghan Duggan scored her first goal of the campaign.

The Whale outshot the Beauts, 18-10 in the first period.

NOTES – The Beauts wore uniforms that were outlined in pink. It was in honor of “Strides For The Cure” Breast Cancer Awareness.

Brianne McLaughlin made 39 saves in the nets for the Beauts.

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