After a frustrating loss on Saturday, the Metropolitan Riveters came out fast and ready to win Sunday. The game Saturday had good momentum from the New Jersey team, however, their finishing was unable to connect enough for a win. That changed up today with them notching seven goals in the match.
The game started quickly against the Whitecaps with the puck rounding both sides of the ice and bouncing between the teams. Rebecca Russo gave the Riveters’ the first goal of the game, assisted by Madison Packer, at 3:30 in the first period. Riveters were able to add a second at 7:48 by Theresa Knutson, assisted by Kendall Cornine. The Whitecaps had a good chance a few minutes later but Brooke Wolejko was able to quickly collect it. Russo almost added a second goal in the last minute of the first period however it went under review for a ruling of goaltender interference which was ultimately called no goal.
Right out of the timeout in the first period Allie Thunstrom was able to score to put the Whitecaps on the board. She was able to get right past Madison Packer to easily take a shot at the goal. Minnesota added their second of the match moments later, equalizing the score. Minnesota was able to add another in the last few minutes of the first period which the Riveters quickly tried to push back against.The Riveters’ went into the first intermission down by one with the score 3-2.
They quickly tried to retaliate at the start of the second with an almost goal against a wide open net, however, the Whitecaps were able to keep the puck out. Several good chances from Kendall Cornine and Kelly Babstock were seen from Metropolitain in the first few minutes of the second period but none met the back of the goal.
Captain Madison Packer finally added the third for the Riveters in the middle of the second with a sly pass into the back of the net. The goal, assisted by Emily Jangia, tied the game back up at 3-3. Rebecca Russo had a good shot just moments later, with the Riveters’ trying to get one up on the Whitecaps before the end of the second period.
In the third, a penalty call on both teams set them into a 4 on 4, five minutes for the Whitecaps and four for the Riveters’. On a powerplay at the 8:35 in the third period a deflection on a slap shot hit the back of the net for a Riveters goal, sending them up 4-3. The goal was Knutson’s second of the match, assisted by Rose Alleva. Babstock added the fifth goal for the Riveters’ at 14.51, assisted by Kristen Barbara. A minute later the Riveters’ added a sixth goal by Knutson, giving her a hattrick for the match.
Minnesota was able to add one more to cut the lead to two however, at 18:36 of the third, Kristen Barbara scored the seventh goal for the Riveters, which was assisted by Packer and marked her 100 regular season points.
The final minutes played out with the Whitecaps trying to get another goal onto the board, even going on to play with an empty net, however, they were able to make nothing of it. The game ended 7-4 with a Riveters’ win on the road.
Up Next For Riveters
The Riveters are back home next weekend at Barnabas Health Hockey House against the Toronto Six. The games kick off at 2:00 pm EST both days. Black Girls Hockey Club will also be at the game on the 26th where the Riveters' will rep their Black Rosie jerseys. You can get tickets for both games here.
