Buffalo Holds Off Connecticut for 3-Seed in Playoffs
Northford, CT - The Buffalo Beauts earned a hard fought, 4-3 victory over the Connecticut Whale to secure the third place ahead of the Isobel Cup Playoffs. The win didn't come easy for a Buffalo team which held a 3-1 lead going into the third period. The Beauts held off a furious comeback by Connecticut in the final frame but former Whale, Shiann Darkangelo scored late to preserve the win.
Connecticut got on the scoreboard first just 20 seconds into the first period. Kelly Babstock skated in on net and found an opening on Shenae Lundberg to give the Whale a 1-0 lead. A little later, newly acquired, Haley Scamurra evened the game in her professional debut on a shot from the neutral zone. The teams skated to a 1-1 draw after 20 minutes.
In the second, Buffalo picked up momentum on an incredible shot by Darkangelo, giving the Beauts a 2-1 lead. Shortly after, Corinne Buie notched another goal for Buffalo putting them ahead 3-1 in the second.
The Whale put up a fight in the third period, Kelli Stack led the rush for Connecticut scoring back to back goals to tie the game at three. The second goal came on a phenomenal play by Stack, who fell to her knees and still found a way to score on Brianne McLaughlin.
Darkangelo gave Buffalo the 4-3 lead with under five minutes to play and McLaughlin did the rest in net to keep Connecticut off the score board. The playoffs are now set with Buffalo heading to Newark to Play New York, and Connecticut heading up to Boston.
