Second place was on the line in Newark on Saturday, as the Buffalo Beauts visited the New York Riveters at Barnabas Health Hockey House for the teams’ third matchup of the season.
Early in the first period, New York was awarded two straight power plays, but found themselves unable to convert on either of them. Buffalo was able to use the penalty kills to generate momentum as Devon Skeats converted shortly after the second Buffalo penalty expired. Jacquie Greco’s first goal of her NWHL career put the Beauts ahead by two under a minute later.
However, the Riveters were able to bounce back before the end of the first period on the power play, as Alexa Gruschow was able to deflect a Kaleigh Fratkin blast from the point past Amanda Leveille, cutting the Beauts’ lead in half going into the second.
Madison Packer was able to tie the game for the Riveters early in the second period with an incredible backhand goal that would graze the crossbar and find its way in over Leveille’s shoulder.
Despite the attempts to take the lead, Buffalo managed the game with their speed and overwhelming puck possession play, and the Riveters were unable to go ahead. A quick response from Emily Pfalzer would take the lead back in the second period and the teams would go to the locker rooms with Buffalo up 3-2.
Shiann Darkangelo was able to snipe the same corner Packer did late in the first period, only her goal was early in the third, and it would prove to be the game winning goal for the Beauts.
Kiira Dosdall notched a power play goal in the third period on a feed from Rebecca Russo who had three assists in the game, and Megan Bozek responded later with her own power play goal on a signature slap shot from the point.
Wiseman said after the game that he expected more from the Riveters, who would be facing the Boston Pride the following evening, and that he would be challenging the team to a better outcome in their next matchup.
Buffalo played a fast-paced, skilled puck possession game that made it nearly impossible for the Riveters to gain any momentum. The action-packed match-up made every play an important one but in the end, the Beauts came away with two points, and second place.
