The Connecticut Whale faced off for the last time against the Metropolitan Riveters this season. It was a spirited bout that saw the Riveters pick up the 6-3 win over the Whale, giving both teams a split in the season series. Earlier in the week, the Connecticut Whale and the Metropolitan Riveters made a trade with each other, which saw backup Whale goalkeeper Maria Sorokina be shipped to the Riveters in exchange for future considerations.
BREAKING: @Riveters acquire Maria Sorokina from @CTWhale_NWHL
“To the Riveters and our fans: I will try to justify your trust and each time put my heart on the ice in order to bring as many victories as possible.” – @Marushka69
📝 https://t.co/ReatqYwgsY
📸 @TroyParla pic.twitter.com/ua2kZraCjM— NWHL (@NWHL) January 2, 2019
Here is a quick summary of the game, in which the Whale went down two goals before the ten minute mark of the first period. The first goal coming from Audra Richards, which is her first time scoring on the road this season. The second goal came from Madison Packer, on the breakaway, after a beautiful pass from Amanda Kessel. The Whale managed to get one back, as Nina Rodgers got the goal, when a Riveters penalty expired.
The Riveters would add another goal before the period ended, and it was Alexa Gruschow with the goal.
In the second period, there was a net mouth scramble in which Kayla Meneghin, while unfortunately not credited with an assist on the play, tied up traffic in front for Jamie Goldsmith to sweep the puck in the net. This goal is Goldsmith’s first of the year and it breaks her drought.
The Riveters would then rattle off two more unanswered goals in the second. Goals coming from Rebecca Russo, off a rebound in front of the net; and Audra Richards notching her second goal of the game. Coincidentally, both goals she scored this game came via the power play. With her two goals in this game, it pushes her goal totals to eight. In the third period, the Whale would strike first and fast, as the puck went across the crease and Emily Fluke had a wide open net to shoot at; her goal coming on the power play.
AND FLUKE SCORES A MINUTE INTO THE THIRD! We’ve got 19 minutes to go with the score now at 5-3 @Riveters #CTWvsMET pic.twitter.com/NXFbvRVyNX
— Connecticut Whale (@CTWhale_NWHL) January 6, 2019
That would be as close as it gets for the Whale, as almost four minutes later, Miye D’Oench would notch an insurance marker for the Riveters, sealing them the victory.
Some notable stats for some players in this game, Maria Sorokina would record 18 saves on 21 shots, and Räisänen would make 13 saves on 19 shots in the game. Madison Packer had a goal and three assists for four points in the game. Amanda Kessel had five assists on the game and a lot of them were really pretty. For the Whale, Katerina Mrázová improved her point totals adding two assists in the game.
The Whale’s penalty kill coming into the game was the best in the league. Unfortunately they suffered a less than stellar performance. The penalty kill gave up two goals, both to Audra Richards. It really is something that they should forget, as the penalty kill has been one of the best things about the team all season long.
It’s not going to get any easier for the Whale, as their next three games will be against the Whitecaps. The first of the three games will be on Sunday January 13th at Terry Conners Rink, at 3p.
Boxscore
https://www.nwhl.zone/game/show/22207053?subseason=512423&referrer=4170047
Video Highlights
📽 HIGHLIGHTS: The @Riveters‘ offense exploded for six goals from different goal scorers on Sunday in a 6-3 win over the @CTWhale_NWHL! pic.twitter.com/tshWlzGEkg
— NWHL (@NWHL) January 7, 2019
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