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Connecticut Whale Score Four Goals in Under 3 Minutes, Hold Off Beauts


Haley Skarupa leading the NWHL In points in her rookie season (@NWHL/Twitter)

On Sunday afternoon the Connecticut Whale used a quick start to the first period, scoring four goals in two minutes and eight seconds to jump out to a 4-0 lead. The Buffalo Beauts would string together a comeback in the highest scoring game this season. Connecticut held on for a 7-5 victory at the HarborCenter in Buffalo.

The scoring began when Nicole Connery, just under three minutes in, gave the Whale an early lead finding the back of the net on a pass from Kelli Stack. Stack just 30 seconds later found Haley Skarupa to double the margin to 2-0 at the three minute mark. Fellow Boston College classmate and rookie, Dana Trivigno notched her first goal of the season on a tipped puck in front. Just as the clock hit 4:32 into the first Skarupa found the back of the net for a second time to give the Whale a record four goals in 2:08 of ice time.

The Beauts, as they are known to do, never quit in this matchup and it started when Emily Janiga broke through the Whale defense and scored to make it 4-1. Although Kelli Stack would comeback down a minute later and give Connecticut a 5-1 lead going into the first intermission, Buffalo looked different after the Janiga score.

In the second the Beauts carried that momentum and picked up their defensive play against the Whale. Amanda Leveille was pulled after giving up five goals on 14 shots in the first period for Brianne McLaughlin. Despite being down 5-1, Buffalo chipped away at the lead in the second period.

Nine minutes into the period, Devon Skeats got the scoring started on a pass from Megan Bozek to cut the deficit to three. As the period came to a close, Kelley Steadman found the back of the net to give Buffalo a much needed boost going into the locker room. At the end of the second, Buffalo trailed 5-3.

The third became a back and forth battle between the two teams, and Buffalo got a big break when Steadman put home a Kourtney Kunichika rebound to bring the game within one for the Beauts. After a few minutes of great scoring chances by both teams, Jordan Brickner gave the Whale a two goal lead with under 10 minutes to play. Buffalo would again bring the matchup within one, when Corrine Buie scored to make it 6-5. Buffalo would pull McLaughlin to try and equalize but Kelly Babstock forced a turnover deep in the Beauts end and ended the Beauts comeback bid with an empty netter.

Skarupa is currently the league leader in Goals, Assists and Points. The rookie is having quite a start to her professional career. The Whale are in second place heading into the Four Nations break.

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