By Michael Heilman
The Boston Pride continued their historic season Sunday afternoon at the Northtown Center for game two against the Buffalo Beauts. The Beauts were looking to end a four-game losing streak.
Thirty seconds into the first period, the Beauts jumped to an early 1-0 on a goal by Erin Gehen with an assist from Kim Brown. Midway through the first period, a body-checking call against Boston forward Emily Fluke put the Beauts on the power play at ten minutes and forty-eight seconds. Twelve seconds later, the Beauts extended the lead 2-0 on a power-play goal by Marie-Jo Pelletier with an assist from Taylor Accursi. Buffalo’s aggressive play cost them as thirteen minutes and thirty-six seconds into the first period Richelle Skarbowski was called for holding putting Boston on the power play.
About a minute later, the Pride cut the Beauts lead 2-1 on that power-play goal by Tori Sullivan with an assist from Lexie Laing. Boston would tie the game up less than a minute later 2-2 with Lauren Kelly scoring with an assist from Jenna Rheault. With under three minutes left in the first period, a cross-checking call against Kandice Sheriff put the Pride on the power play. The Pride took the lead 3-2 with about a minute remaining in the first period on a power-play goal by Carlee Toews with an assist from Lauren Kelly. The Pride led 3-2 at the end of the first period.
From there, Boston controlled the game and didn’t look back. Buffalo committed another penalty halfway through the second period by Emma Ruggiero for hooking. The penalty led to another power-play goal by Tori Sullivan, her second of the game to extend Boston’s lead 4-2 with an assist from Mallory Souliotis. Five minutes later, Boston added another goal this time by Emily Fluke to add to Boston’s lead 5-2 with an assist from Jillian Dempsey. Less than a minute later, Briana Mastel scored for a 6-2 Boston lead with an assist from Jordan Juron. Boston led 6-2 as the second period ended.
Boston controlled the puck throughout the third period. Buffalo did get some shots off however couldn’t find a way to finish the play. The only penalty committed in the third period at fourteen minutes and thirty-five seconds was a tripping call against Beauts forward Taylor Accursi. Less than a minute later, Boston added another power-play goal by Mallory Souliotis for a 7-2 lead with an assist from Tori Sullivan. As the final horn sounded, the Boston Pride defeated the Buffalo Beauts 7-2 to improve their record to 17-0 and extend Buffalo’s losing streak to five games.
Boston had fifty-two shots on goal, and Buffalo had twenty-three. Boston Pride goalie Lovisa Selander made twenty-one of twenty-three saves allowing two goals and Buffalo Beauts goalies Mariah Fujimagari made thirty-one of thirty-seven saves allowing six goals and backup goalie Kelsey Neumann made fourteen of fifteen saves allowing one goal.
The three stars of the game were Boston defenseman Lauren Kelly with one goal and one assist, Boston forward Tori Sullivan with two goals and one assist, and Boston forward Carlee Toews with one goal.
The Boston Pride will play one game next Sunday at the Warrior Ice Arena against the Connecticut Whale at 2:30 pm. Buffalo Beauts will head to the Tria Rink for two games against the Minnesota Whitecaps Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm.
Comments