BUFFALO – This coming Monday February 21st the Buffalo Beauts will make a return to hockey’s roots. For the first time since the 2019-20 PHF season, the team will host the “Buffalo Believes Classic” outdoor game at Buffalo’s RiverWorks. The regular season contest will take place at 3:00pm EST and feature the Beauts (3-10-0) taking on the first place Toronto Six (11-1-1).
“With the pandemic we ended up having a hiatus from doing the outdoor game, but the Beauts are elated to bring back one of our most popular events,” said Beauts GM Nate Oliver. “Playing the ‘Buffalo Believes Classic’ hearkens back to hockey’s origins and where many of us first learned to skate – outdoors on a frozen lake or pond. The game is also a testament to Buffalo’s status as a true hockey town and a community that welcomes the outdoor elements and the fun that they bring.”
The Beauts last hosted the “Buffalo Believes Classic” back on Dec. 28, 2019. While the team lost to their archrival Metropolitan Riveters 7-4, the game featured one of the Beauts most historic moments – a third period 4-goal output by current team co-captain Taylor Accursi in a span of just over seven minutes which temporarily tied the game.
This time however the Beauts will be facing an even bigger challenge in the Six. Not only is Toronto the topmost team in the PHF standings, but they are fueled by the league’s premier scorer Mikyla Grant-Mentis who has scored 10 goals, 16 assists and 26 points in a mere 13 games. The Six also have the PHF’s All-Star Showcase MVP in goaltender Elaine Chuli (1.16 GAA, .953 SV%) in their net.
The Beauts are led by leading scorer Autumn MacDougall (4-7-11 in 13 games). Additionally, their overall scoring comes by committee, featuring a handful of veterans, rookies and free agent newcomers alike, including Dominique Kremer (3-5-8), Cassidy MacPherson (1-7-8), Anjelica Diffendal (5-2-7), Emilie Harley (3-4-7), Cassidy Vinkle (3-3-6), Jenna Suokko (2-4-6) and more. Anchoring the Beauts rise is the goaltending tandem of sophomore netminder Carly Jackson and 33-year-old veteran Lovisa Berndtsson.
“I feel like we have played better and better the last couple of games, especially in our D-Zone,” said Berndtsson. “I think that is something we should build from as we head into the outdoor game. Toronto is a skilled team that plays with quick transitions through the neutral zone, and that is something we need to be aware of. If we play with discipline all over the ice, I believe we will be successful on Monday. It will be an important game for us, but also a very exciting experience and I think it’s important that we also enjoy the moment!”
Tickets for the game can be purchased online at https://beauts.universitytickets.com/ or can be purchased on game day at RiverWorks. With puck drop scheduled for 3:00pm EST, doors will be open an hour beforehand.
(Buffalo Beauts Photo)
