Buffalo Beauts Tie the Series; Sink the Whale in a 4-1 Victory.

Beauts Take Game 2 over Whale

After dropping all seven matches to-date to the Connecticut Whale, including a shutout loss in Game 1, the Buffalo Beauts charged back to take Game 2. The Beauts began the series without Kelley Steadman and Meghan Duggan due to their coaching obligations with Robert Morris and Clarkson Women’s Hockey, respectively. However, Steadman returned to the lineup last night. In a postgame interview with the press, Steadman discussed her mindset prior to Game 2, “We knew coming in we had a great chance against these guys, taking them to overtime however many times … I knew that I had to kinda step it up and bring some fresh energy and good legs so that was my mindset … make sure I could step up and make a difference.”

Steadman delivered early. The Beauts forward looked absolutely determined from her very first shift, going coast to coast and getting a great shot on net that was denied by Leonoff. Steadman and the Beauts continued to pressure the Whale defense. Shelby Bram was forced a turnover and fed the puck towards the net, giving Kelley Steadman the opportunity to sneak one by Leonoff. The goal marked the first goal in Buffalo Beauts playoffs history. Buffalo would not surrender the lead for the remainder of the match.

The goal offered more than just the lead, it seemed to offer just what the Beauts needed to recover from a shutout the night before. The Beauts scored again just before time ticked away in the first period. The second goal was put away unassisted by Devon Skeats. Skeats took advantage of a shot that was blocked, but uncontrolled by Leonoff and the Whale.

After the game, Skeats talked about the goals the Beauts had coming into the second game, “We wanted to play our game and just keep battling.” The Beauts consider their work ethic to be their biggest strength. One can hardly argue, as the only franchise win against Connecticut came last night with the season on the line.

Skeats added that her goalie, Brianne McLaughlin was a huge factor in the win last night, “Bri played incredible. She’s been helping us so much all year and she deserved this win … she was definitely the number one player on the ice tonight.” McLaughlin recorded 35 saves on the night and contributed to seven penalty kills against the Whale.

Connecticut seemed to pick up momentum in the last two periods, but penalties at inopportune moments didn’t allow for a steady attack. With about three minutes left, Leonoff was pulled in favor of more offense for the Whale.

Kelli Babstock scored the lone Whale goal. Babstock took control of the puck and beat McLaughlin glove side. After the game, Babstock remarked that she and the Whale need to focus on playing with consistency, “We can’t take a shift off, especially right now in playoffs … we weren’t playing a six minute game, so we know that for tomorrow.”

Keys for Tonight

The Whale will need to regroup and continue to attack the net. As Babstock mentioned, playing a complete game will be huge. The Whale must also stay disciplined and limit penalties.

Buffalo will look to continue to take advantage of Steadman’s aggressive play, we shall see if there is still some freshness left in her legs. The Beauts may also benefit from the return of Megan Duggan. Duggan and the Clarkson Women’s Ice Hockey team face off against Quinnipiac in the ECAC Championship game at 2pm today. The Assistant Coach of Clarkson could potentially travel to meet the Beauts at Chelsea Piers for Game 3.

Follow @MyWSport on Twitter for live updates of the third and deciding game of the Isobel Cup Semifinals. Puck drops at 6pm in Stamford, purchase tickets here.