The Boston Pride Display Offensive Power, Defeat Buffalo 4-1
The Boston Pride and Buffalo Beauts begin year two (TheBostonPride/Twitter)
After months of waiting the National Women’s Hockey League dropped the puck Friday night on season two of the professional hockey leagues existence. The defending Isobel Cup champions, the Boston Pride played the host Buffalo Beauts in a rematch of last years Isobel Cup finals.
In the first period both teams battled up and down the ice looking for an opportunity to take control. Brittany Ott picked up right where she left off last season, making big save after big save, and preventing the Beauts from getting on the board in the first. Buffalo’s Brianne McLaughlin did her part to keep the potent Pride attack at bay making 11 saves in the period as well.
The Pride without Hilary Knight in this matchup found their offense in the second period. It started when Alex Carpenter got a pass from Brianna Decker and sent is past McLaughlin. Under five minutes later Jillian Dempsey took a pass from Carpenter into the slot and rifle one under McLaughlin.
Buffalo would counter on a few plays in the second but Ott turned each one away keeping the Beauts offense in check. Boston’s defense also played a big part in blocking shots and clearing the puck in dangerous situations. The Beauts had a 5 on 3 power play in the period but could not muster more than one shot on net. Buffalo finished the game 0 for 4 with the advantage.
The Pride would add two more goals in the period before going into the third frame. Rachel Llanes made it 3-0 Pride on a great play with her line mates Amanda Pelkey and Emily Field. Pelkey was rewarded shortly after, scoring her first goal on the season to make it 4-0 late in the second. Boston held a 22- 14 shot lead going into the final period.
Buffalo gave McLaughlin the rest of the night off following the second, allowing Amanda Leveille to make her NWHL debut. Fresh off a National Championship with the University of Minnesota, Leveille was able to make some big saves to keep the Pride off the scoreboard with 11 saves in the third.
Buffalo also got their first goal of the 2016-17 season when Harrison Browne used his speed to control a loose puck at center ice and break away for a shorthanded goal in the third. Browne made history earlier in the day becoming the first open transgender athlete in North American professional sports. The NWHL, Players and fans have shown immediate support for Browne and it was heard after he scored in the period.
“It was unreal. Unlike anything I’ve ever felt before” ~ Harrison Browne on scoring and hearing his name called
Boston held on to win 4-1 taking the first game of opening weekend at the HarborCenter in Buffalo. The Pride will take on the New York Riveters Saturday in game two of three of the NWHL Opening Weekend.
