A trio of Sunday afternoon games wrapped up another weekend of Premier Hockey Federation action with just over three weeks until the 2023 Isobel Cup Playoffs.
Toronto Six 4, Connecticut Whale 6
Connecticut picked up a critical win in a potential playoff preview with Toronto, splitting the weekend and season series and moving three points closer to clinching a berth in their fourth-straight semifinal. Melissa Samoskevich scored twice including the game-winner on the power play at 7:08 of the third period to break a 4-4 tie. The goal was one of four the Whale generated on special teams along with a shorthanded marker by Caitrin Lonergan to open the scoring just 2:02 into the contest, Allie Munroe’s first of the season scored with the advantage at 4:59, and Taylor Girard’s league-leading fourth shorthanded goal into the empty-net at 19:05 of the third. Amanda Conway’s first of the season rounded out Connecticut’s offense. Toronto produced a pair of first period equalizers from Kati Tabin on the power play and Michela Cava at even strength to knot the game at deuces after 20. Emma Woods and Leah Lum both scored for the second straight game to make it 4-4 after 40. Meeri Raisanen won her third game of the season with 21 saves, while Elaine Chuli suffered the loss with 33 stops. Connecticut now leads fifth place Montreal by 10 points and trails third place Minnesota by three.
Montreal Force 1, Boston Pride 2
Boston took advantage of the Toronto loss to widen the gap between first and second place to four points with their 16th win of the season. Defender Kaleigh Fratkin scored her third goal of the campaign on a right side rush with just 2:05 remaining in regulation to lead the Pride to victory. Captain Jillian Dempsey netted her 12th of the year in the opening frame, and Force leading scorer Jade Downie-Landry produced her seventh of the year in the second period. The low scoring affair wasn’t for lack of opportunities as the teams combined for 96 shots on goal. Corinne Schroeder made 49 saves between-the-pipes for Boston, while Montreal’s Tricia Deguire stood tall with a career-high 44 stops despite the loss.
Buffalo Beauts 1, Minnesota Whitecaps 0
The Beauts battled their way to a second-straight road victory and first weekend sweep of the season over the Whitecaps. Samantha Ridgewell stopped all 31 shots she faced to earn her first career PHF win and shutout while making her first start since signing with the club earlier this month. The game’s only goal came off the stick of Jenna Suokko who tipped a point shot from Antonia Matzka at 7:07 of the second period. Jenna Brenneman gave Minnesota a chance to comeback with her 24-save effort in defeat. Buffalo’s late season surge has them within two points of the sixth place Riveters and five back of fifth place Montreal.
Cover photo by Jonathan Sawn
