The fourth weekend on the Premier Hockey Federation schedule featured a pair of exciting 4-3 finals in favor of the home teams.
Metropolitan Riveters 3, Minnesota Whitecaps 4
The Whitecaps picked up their first win of the season in front of their fans at Richfield Ice Arena. Denisa Krizova opened the scoring with her first of the season, and Sidney Morin made it 2-0 after one period of play. The game seemed to be well in hand after two power play goals by Patti Marshall on Eveliina Makinen extended the lead to 4-0, but the Riveters muscled their way back into the game. Madison Packer redirected one past Amanda Leveille on the power play for a 4-1 score after 40 minutes, then Kendall Cornine cut the lead in half with her first of the campaign in another power play conversion. Amanda Pelkey made it as close as they would come with just under five to play, tallying her first goal as a Riveter. Leveille stopped 33 shots in victory.
Connecticut Whale 3, Montreal Force 4 SO
The Force have a flair for the dramatics and it was on full display in Sept-Iles with a storybook ending. Trailing 2-0, Montreal came back with goals by Kristina Shanahan and Christine Deaudelin to even the score after two frames. Then when Connecticut made it 3-2 in the third, Catherine Daoust scored to tie it up with under three minutes to play in regulation. In the shootout, it was none other than hometown hero Ann-Sophie Bettez who scored the winner and celebrated in front of family and friends. The Whale were playing in their first game since opening night and had offensive contributions from Janka Hlinka, and the dynamic duo of Taylor Girard and Kennedy Marchment who both found the back of the net. Meeri Raisanen made her first start of the season and stopped 23 in defeat. Tricia Deguire picked up her third straight win and second in the shootout with 16 saves.
Cover photo by Kayla Franz
