Toronto gets revenge in Buffalo Believes Classic rematch

After getting shut out in last year’s Buffalo Believes Classic outdoor game, the Six came in focused and ready for revenge on Friday night.

Former Beauts goaltender Carly Jackson got the win at Riverworks, though this year she was wearing red and black as a member of the Six. Jackson made 24 saves to secure the win against her former team, while Beauts net minder Kassidy Sauvé stopped 33 shots in the loss.

Special teams were the different for the Beauts on Friday night - Buffalo’s power play woes continued against the Six; the home team was unable to capitalize on five different power play opportunities, including an abbreviated 5-on-3 chance in the second frame. Toronto didn’t get a power play goal either, but its penalty kill was perfect when it needed to be, and they were able to convert at even-strength.

The Six got on the board first in the opening period, when league-lading goal-scorer Brittany Howard scored her 12th goal of the season three and a half minutes in. Lexi Templeman carried the puck into the zone for Toronto and went behind the net, sending a pass into the slot for Howard. Though Sauvé made the initial stop, Howard collected her own rebound and scored on her second attempt to make it 1-0.

Buffalo couldn’t find the back of the net during the first period, but wasted no time tying the game up in the second frame. Jessica Healey collected the puck along the boards and sent a perfectly placed cross-ice pass to Claudia Kepler, who raced up the left side and flung a laser past Jackson to tie the game just 30 seconds into the period.

Both teams entered the second intermission still knotted up at one goal apiece, and it took a while for either team to find a way past the others netminder. It was Toronto who broke the ice at the 12:10 mark of the third. Breanne Wilson-Bennett threw a bouncing puck towards the net that bounced off Howard’s stick before Templeman poked it past Sauvé to make it 2-1.

Buffalo couldn’t find the equalizer, despite pulling their goaltender late.

The Beauts will have a chance at redemption on Saturday at 7 p.m. EST back at Northtown Center.

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.