The mood leaving the Riveters' arena on Sunday was very different from the previous day's game against the Buffalo Beauts. Not only did they win, but they also debuted their excellent alternate jerseys.
Perhaps the red was the fire they needed to bounce back, or perhaps they refocused their strategy. Coach Ivo Mocek says that after Saturday's loss, he and Kelly Nash encouraged the team to "simplify things a little bit" instead of "looking for that perfect pass or a perfect opportunity."
Mocek called this game a "big character win," saying, "the biggest difference was that we were just being way more consistent than yesterday. We didn’t have too many weak moments, we were just focused and sharp, physically and mentally."
Captain Madison Packer attributed the win to an "attitude shift. I think everyone’s starting to figure it out. We forget that this group is a new group. We had last season, but we only played three games in the bubble and so we just have to be patient. I think right now it’s mental, not so much physical. The more that we just fine-tune things, I think the more success we’ll have."
The Riveters created a few more opportunities to score on Sunday, but the primary difference between the two games was how they consistently interrupted the Beauts' attacks, driving them down from 44 shots on Saturday to 32 on Sunday.
The Rivs' five goals came from Madison Packer (2), Rebecca Russo (2), and Theresa Knutson (1).
In the last 5 minutes of the third period, the Beauts elected to pull Carly Jackson and go empty net. In a breakaway, Russo had a clear shot on goal but elected to pass it to Packer to see if she could get the hat trick. Packer's shot was deflected. Russo later had another chance at the empty net and neatly sent the puck over the line to extend the Riveters' lead and become the PHF points leader for the 2021-2022 season.
Riveters Hit The Road
The next game for the Rivs will be December 11 in Toronto against the Six, and the following weekend they'll face the Boston Pride on home ice. You can get your tickets here.
- Riveters Come Back to Close Weekend Series 1-1 - November 22, 2021
- Despite Electric 2nd Period, Riveters Fall to Beauts - November 21, 2021
- NJ Colonials Bring Enthusiasm to Riveters Opening Weekend - November 8, 2021
