The Metropolitan Riveters are back home for their final six games of the season. These games were the first home games for the Riveters in over three months but they will close out their season at home. Metropolitan hosted the Toronto Six who made the trip to Newark, New Jersey for the weekend doubleheader. In honoring Black History Month, Metropolitan revealed their Black Rosie jerseys created by Jordan Dabney.
Photo Courtesy of @Riveters Twitter
Another exciting point of this doubleheader weekend was the return of the original Riveter Kira Dosdall-Arena. She has now played in every season of the Premier Hockey Federation, joining just a handful of players who have accomplished that. Dosdall-Arena was part of the Riveters’ winning Isobel Cup in 2017-2018 and is more than excited to return to the team. The biggest change for her since her last run with the Riveters was the birth of her daughter Josie. She said, “Returning to play after giving birth is challenging both mentally and physically, but I’ve been doing everything I can throughout pregnancy and postpartum to make sure I'm at my best for the Rivs.” She has been easing into training with the team but has felt nothing but support and comfort going back into the familiar home of the Riveters.
Kiira Dosdall-Arena joined us at the intermission to discuss how she feels in her first game back this season!@Riveters pic.twitter.com/AFp5S2Sb2c
— PHF (@PHF) February 26, 2022
The game started quickly with each team trying to get on the puck and while the intensity remained throughout the period, nothing was able to come of it. Other than the power plays for each team there were not many chances for either team with each only being able to get eight shots off each. The last shot of the first period was a shot by Saroya Tinker of the Toronto Six, that was easily deflected out of the goal as the game was scoreless going into the first intermission.
In the opening minute of the second period, Kendall Cornine was able to slip the puck right past Elaine Chuli into the back of the net, putting the Riveters up 1-0. The goal marked Cornine’s 10th of the season for the Riveters. The goal was assisted by Theresa Knuston and Madison Packer who generated the play from the start.
With Toronto on the power play, the Riveters were able to add a second goal making their score 2-0. Haley Frade added the second goal of the match at 2:35 and the second short-handed goal of the season, Madison Packer having the only other one. Frade was able to slip away with the puck, going one on one with Chuli, tucking it right behind her into the net.
Toronto was able to get a shot off at 6:58 but it was blocked off the shot from the Riveters’ to keep the score the same and the puck alive. Another opportunity for Toronto came just two minutes later with a huge deflected shot that Wolejko was able to save, hitting it up and behind causing the puck to land on top of the net.
Toronto was able to add a goal of their own from Shiann Darkangelo on an assist from Lindsay Eastwood. The goal came on a 4-on-4 for the team with both of them having a player in the box. Wolekjo lost sight of the puck, allowing Darkangelo to slip it into the back of the net making the score 2-1. While on a power play, Mikyla Grant-Mentis took a shot that was deflected to the hand of the Riveters. Metropolitan applied pressure, to force turnovers and Toronto had to play out of their back as their power play came to a finish.
Saroya Tinker created good chances, one that barely missed the net; however, the Riveters were able to get the puck back and gain control of it. However, just a minute later with four left in the second period, Toronto Six player Brianne Wilson Bennett was able to get a goal, making the score 2-2 going into the second intermission.
Just like the second period, the third period started just as quickly, with another early goal for Metropolitan. Madison Packer took a long shot at 3:55 that hit the back of the net making the score 3-2 for the Riveters.
Madison Packer finds the back of the net through traffic in front! pic.twitter.com/y66jra8MBx
— PHF (@PHF) February 26, 2022
As if repeating the second period, Toronto went onto a power play right after the goal which they spent in the Riveters’ half of the ice. With the final seconds of power play, Tinker was able to add a goal for the Toronto Six, tying up the game. The goal was her first on the season as she was back in Newark since leaving the Riveters in the off-season.
Metropolitan responded well pushing hard against Toronto to get their own shots on goal and holding down defensively. Cornine was able to draw a penalty to send the Riveters on the power play. However, right as the power play kicked off Toronto was able to get their fourth goal of the match with a short-handed goal from Emma Woods.
A good attempt for the Rivs came in the final six minutes with Rebecca Russo just barely missing the goal. Toronto was able to keep possession of the puck for the last few minutes of the match, not allowing the Riveters to take out Wolejko to get an extra skater. The final second ended with Emma Woods getting the game-winning goal for Toronto to pull out a lead and win.
The Riveters go again on Sunday at Barnabas Health Hockey House. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. EST and the game can be watched on ESPN+ or tickets can be bought here.
FINAL SCORE: Toronto Six 4, Metropolitan Riveters 3
