BEAUTS SWEEP WHITECAPS IN 1-0 SHUTOUT

After earning their first road win in over a year against Minnesota on Saturday night, Buffalo kept their momentum alive on Sunday afternoon.

Goaltender Samantha Ridgewell put together a 31-save shutout as the Beauts earned a dramatic 1-0 shutout victory, sweeping the ‘Caps in the team’s first series sweep of the season.

Minnesota goalie Jenna Brenneman was in net again for the Whitecaps, stopping 24 shots in the loss. The pair of wins gave Buffalo six more points in the standings; though they’re still sitting in sixth overall, the Beauts (14) are just two points behind Metropolitan (16) with the same number of games played.

Neither team could score in the opening frame, though both teams had a power play opportunity each. Ridgewell and Brenneman made 12 and five saves, respectively, in the first period to keep the score deadlocked at 0-0 after the first period.

The Beauts scored their first and only goal of the game around the midway marker of the second period. With the Beauts pressuring the ‘Caps, the puck found its way to the point, where Antonio Matzka let loose a shot towards the net. Forward Jenna Suokko got her stick on the shot to tip it past Brenneman, scoring her second goal of the season to give Buffalo a 1-0 lead.

Minnesota had another chance on the power play late in the second period with Courtney Maud in the box for tripping, but Buffalo’s penalty kill shut them down to preserve the 1-0 lead.

The ‘Caps outshot Buffalo again in the third period, peppering Ridgewell with 11 shots while Brenneman made five stops at the other end. Despite all their chances, Ridgewell made every save. Minnesota pulled Brenneman with 2:20 left in the game in an effort to tie things up, but they couldn’t light the lamp to force OT.

Buffalo will stay on the road for their next series, traveling to Montreal to take on the Force in a pair of games. The puck will drop on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. EST and again on Sunday, also at 1 p.m EST.

About the Buffalo Beauts

The Buffalo Beauts are a professional women's ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York and competing in the Premier Hockey Federation (formerly the National Women’s Hockey League). The Beauts are one of the Founding Four teams that stepped on the ice in 2015 and the 2017 Isobel Cup Champions. The team is owned and operated by NLTT Hockey Ventures. Visit beauts.nwhl.zone to learn more.

About the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF)

The PHF is the leading home of professional women’s hockey in North America. Established in 2015 as the National Women’s Hockey League, the NWHL rebranded to become the PHF in 2021 and maintains the mission to provide strong role models and fuel the continued growth of the sport. The league is made up of the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters, Minnesota Whitecaps, Montreal Force and the Toronto Six who all compete annually for the Isobel Cup.

Contact: For media information, please contact Nate Oliver: noliver@beautshockey.com.