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How to Watch
Time - 3:00PM
Location - New Haven, CT
Where to Watch - Free Stream Here via NWHL's YouTube Channel
Preview
On Friday night the Riveters were once again bested in a shootout. But despite coming away with just one point there were plenty of positive signs to take from the road loss in Buffalo.
According to the box score the Riveters had 23 shots in the 2nd period alone. Won't be happy with end result, but lots of promising signs.
— Mike Murphy (@DigDeepBSB) January 28, 2017
Amanda Kessel scored her first two goals as a professional and the Riveters buried Amanda Leveille in shots. Discipline appeared to be the Riveters’ undoing. Taking six minor penalties against the league’s best power play was not a recipe for success. A frustrated group of Riveters skaters allowed two power play goals to the Beauts.
Still, the Riveters now have more points than they did in their inaugural season. And they have achieved that despite playing in five fewer games than they did last year. The Riveters are 4-3-3 in their last ten games and are looking better with each passing week.
This afternoon the Riveters will be on the road in Connecticut to face the last place Whale. Kelli Stack and company are coming off of an 8-4 loss to the undefeated Boston Pride. It was the team’s fourth consecutive loss.
Connecticut has not looked like the offensive powerhouse that they appeared to be in the early weeks of the 2016-17 season. The departure of defenders Ivana Bilic and veteran Molly Engstrom has stretched the blue line thin. The Whale have mustered just eight points in 12 games this season. They have the second-worst goal differential in the NWHL.
Today, only one team that desperately needs a win will leave the with two points.
Players to Watch
New York Riveters
#18 Rebecca Russo
Russo was the sparkplug of the Riveters’ offense in the first half of the season, but she has cooled down of late. New York needs the playmaking winger to get back in the box score sooner rather than later. Russo has one point in her last four games.
#2 Lauren Wash
Wash scored her first professional goal on Friday night. She has been seeing a lot of ice time with Amanda Kessel and thus far the diminutive winger has exceeded all expectations. Look for the speedy winger to push the pace today against Connecticut.
Connecticut Whale
#22 Haley Skarupa
Skarupa broke a six-game goal-scoring drought on Friday night with a hat trick. The Riveters will need to keep an eye on their former draft pick as well as the always dangerous Kelly Babstock. Skarupa and Babstock have 14 points each, which is second only to Alex Carpenter of the Boston Pride.
Haley Skarupa hit for the cycle with her hat trick against Boston. She had a shortie, a power play goal and an even strength goal.
— Mike Murphy (@DigDeepBSB) January 28, 2017
#26 Jordan Brickner
There’s no controversy in stating that Brickner is the best player on the Whale’s blue line. She will have her work cut out for her against a speedy Riveters team today. Look for her to play a ton of minutes in front of either former Riveter Shenae Lundberg or All-Star Nicole Stock.