BOSTON PRIDE NOW 13-0 AFTER 4-2 VICTORY IN BUFFALO

By Nathaniel A. Oliver

After needing overtime to win on Saturday, the Boston Pride completed the sweep of the weekend series with a 4-2 win in regulation over the Beauts on Sunday.

“We played hard and battled against a very physical team,” said Pride captain Jillian Dempsey. "We had-high quality opportunities to score both nights, so the chances were there. We had more energy and buzz in today’s game. We knew it would be a gut-check kind of game. I’m proud of our team’s effort and heart."

BEAUTS TICKETS

The Pride held a 3-1 lead after the first period of play, courtesy of two goals by Dempsey. Her first tally came at 7:26 to begin the game's scoring on a long point shot. The puck sailed through a multitude of skaters in front of Beauts netminder Tiffany Hsu (making her NWHL debut), and ended up in the back of the net. Kaleigh Fratkin and Christina Putigna got the assists on the goal. 

Putigna scored Boston's second of the game at 10:17. Putigna's shot handcuffed the Buffalo goalie, and tumbled in the bottom corner on the short side.

Just over four minutes later, Buffalo narrowed the gap on a power play tally. As defender Marie-Jo Pelletier fired a shot from the point, Beauts captain Corinne Buie deflected the puck by Pride goalie Victoria Hanson at 14:27.

Boston would respond right away, with Dempsey scoring a power play goal to regain the two-goal lead. Putigna earned one of the assists again, for her third point of the day. 

The game was put away completely by Boston at 15:08 of the third. A loose puck in the Buffalo goal crease bounced around off of a number of players and ended up going over the goal line. Taylor Wasylk would eventually be credited for the goal — the first of her NWHL career. 

As the seconds ticked down in regulation, the Beauts Iveta Klimášová fired a bomb of a slapper from just inside the blue line past Hanson at 19:10 of the third. 

Both teams are back in action next weekend. The Beauts will play host to the Metropolitan Riveters for a pair of games, including the Dec. 28 Labatt NWHL "Buffalo Believes Classic" outdoor game at RiverWorks. Meanwhile, the Pride will be visiting the Connecticut Whale for two games of their own. 

“We played as a team the entire weekend, but I think even more so today,” said Boston defender Jenna Rheault. "We moved the puck fast, took shots from all angles, and won our battles in the offensive and defensive zones. I am really proud of how composed we were today and how we were able to take the lead early. We earned some big points this weekend.”

Photo Credit: Mike Hetzel