by Austin Jankowiak
BUFFALO, NY— Brianne McLaughlin (3-5-3) started in between the pipes for the Beauts against Nana Fujimoto (4-7-0) on Sunday afternoon. Only two points separated the Riveters and the Beauts in the standings entering Sunday’s game.
The first period started out slow, save for a power play opportunity given to the Riveters by a Megan Bozek roughing call 4:42 into the game. Megan Bozek was also the second name on the scoresheet, putting the Beauts up 1-0 13:14 into the game. Bozek’s slap shot from just inside the zone went straight through, with the only thing getting in the way being the netting behind Fujimoto.
It didn’t take long for the tides to turn once the second period started. Only 1:01 into the period, Bray Ketchum bolted up the ice and walked in on goal, only to hooked by Bozek and unable to get her shot off. A penalty shot was awarded and Ketchum made no mistake, shooting high blocker side, tying the game at 1. Off-setting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties assessed to Devon Skeats and Ketchum would open up the ice needed to break the deadlock. A Meghan Duggan shot set up by Bozek found its way past Fujimoto and put the Beauts back on top, 2-1.
The third period featured various scoring opportunities for each team early, including shots from Janine Weber for the Riveters and Kelley Steadman for the Beauts. It would ultimately take a Hannah McGowan pass to Hayley Williams, who took a shot that would be put in on the second attempt by Tatiana Rafter, widening the Beauts’ lead. Kourtney Kunichika put the Beauts up 4-1 11:37 into the third, tapping in a puck backdoor which was set up perfectly by Skeats and captain Emily Pfalzer. Steadman added onto the tally with an empty net goal, making it 5-1, the score that would stick until the end. An amazing performance in net by McLaughlin which included 17 saves helped stop a late push by the Riveters.
With the win at home, the Beauts secured third place, four points ahead of the Riveters with only one game remaining on the schedule for each team. Buffalo squares off against the Boston Pride at home next Sunday the 28th at 3:30PM. New York faces Connecticut on the road later that day, at 6:00PM.
