By Michael Heilman
The Minnesota Whitecaps visited the Danbury Ice Arena for game two against the Connecticut Whale. The Whitecaps shutout the Whale 3-0 Saturday night and were looking for the weekend sweep.
Allie Thunstrom picked up where she left off two minutes twenty-nine seconds into the first period when she scored a goal with an assist from Audra Richards to put the Whitecaps in the lead 1-0. The Whales were fighting hard throughout this game and managed to tie the game up 1-1 fourteen minutes and thirty-eight seconds by Emma Vlasic with an assist from Kayla Meneghin. The Whitecaps regained the lead 2-1 three minutes later on a goal scored by Haylea Schmid with an assist from Nicole Schammel. The Whitecaps led 2-1 at the end of the first period.
The Whitecaps had a chance to extend their lead on the power play after Whale’s forward Grace Klienbach was called for high-sticking. The Whitecaps could not take advantage of the power play and the game remained 2-1. Four minutes later, the Whale’s went on the power play on a roughing call against Whitecaps defenseman Sydney Baldwin. The Whale’s also failed to take advantage of the power play. The Whitecaps had one more opportunity to add to their lead with under a minute remaining left in the second period after Whale’s defenseman Shannon Doyle was called for holding. The Whitecaps remained in the lead 2-1 and were starting the third period on the power play.
The Whitecaps could not capitalize on the power play in the third period and remained in the lead 2-1. Halfway through the third period, the Whale’s were going on their second power play of the game on a high-sticking call against Whitecaps defenseman Chelsey Brodt Rosenthal. The Whale’s also failed to take advantage of the power play and the Whitecaps remained in the lead 2-1. The Whale’s were playing disciplined hockey. Despite their record, they were playing hard and are close to winning their first game of the year. Just not today, as the Minnesota Whitecaps defeated the Connecticut Whale 2-1.
The Whitecaps won the shots on goal total with forty-four to the Whale’s thirty-three. Both teams were zero for two on the power play. Whitecaps goalie Amanda Leveille made thirty-two of thirty-three saves allowing one goal while Whale’s goalie Sonjia Shelly made forty-two of forty-four saves, allowing two goals.
The three stars of the game where Whale’s goalie Sonjia Shelly with forty-two saves, Whitecaps forward Haylea Schmid with one goal and Whitecaps goalie Amanda Leveille with thirty-two saves.
The Minnesota Whitecaps will now enjoy some time off as they won’t return to the ice until January 4th against the Metropolitan Riveters. The Whale’s have a big challenge next weekend as they welcome the Boston Pride for two games at the Danbury Ice Arena Saturday at 3:30 pm and Sunday at 1:30 pm.
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