NWHL Season Six Opening Weekend Recap

The highly anticipated NWHL Season six opening weekend certainly did not hold back as all six teams played back to back games to get the action started. Playing at the historic Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, NY, the stadium was filled with fan cutouts that included some support from various sports leagues such as the NHL, NWSL, WNBA and more. Even a few four legged fans were represented in the stadium seats.

As all the games were streamed live via Twitch and the announcers included NWHL veterans Erica Ayala and Alexis Pearson and Florida Panthers sideline reporter Katie Gaus. Play-by-play announcers included Steve Goldstein, Josh Appel and Josh Eastern who are also involved with Florida pro sports. With all games being played and streamed from one arena, the quality of each broadcast was a significant improvement from last season. Also, viewers were able to catch some team bench views as cameras were on fixed on each bench.

Twitch stream numbers saw upwards of over 50k combined game views in just the first day.

Whether viewers were die hard fans or newcomers to the NWHL, many had their eyes on the newest franchise, the Toronto Six making their debut.

Game Day 1 January 23rd

The Metropolitan Riveters vs. The Toronto Six 

Final Score: Riveters 3 Toronto Six 0 

The Metropolitan Riveters started their goal scoring early to show dominance over the Toronto Six and despite the speed and strength of the Six, they were not able to capitalize on any opportunities, thus losing their first ever franchise history game.

Riveters goal scorers: Leila Kilduff(2) and both were assisted by Kelly Babstock ; Emily Janiga on empty net

 Minnesota Whitecaps vs. Boston Pride

Final Score: Whitecaps 2  Pride 1

This was a semifinal Isobel Cup rematch as the teams went head to head for the first time since last March when their game was cancelled due to COVID-19. It was a tight game, but the Whitecaps were able to come away with their first win of the season.

Whitecaps goal scorers:  Winny Brodt Brown, Jonna Curtis

Pride goal scorers:  Christina Putigna assisted by Jenna Real

Connecticut Whale vs. Buffalo Beauts 

Final Score: Whale  2 Beauts 1 (shootout win) 

With a defensively strong team, Connecticut Whale expressed their control of the game in the second period when Kayla Frieson (2nd overall draft pick) put her team on the board. Going into the third period, Whale lead the game until Kristin Lewicki put the Beauts on the board a few minutes into the period.  The shootout was the first of the season and both goalies Abbie Ives for the Whale and Carly Jackson for the Beauts did an amazing job in their NWHL debuts.

Whale goal scorers:  Kayla Frieson & Katelyn Russ (shootout goal)

Beauts goal scorers: Kristin Lewicki

GAME DAY 2 JANUARY 24TH

 Toronto Six vs Minnesota Whitecaps

Final Score: Whitecaps 6 Toronto Six 5 (shootout win)

In the first game of the day, both teams were showing their physicality and lots of penalties were called throughout the entire game. Viewers also saw a lot of 4v4 and even 5v3 play several times in this game, but Toronto Six was able to finally land some pucks in the net. For almost two periods of play the Six had a nice lead until the tables were flipped and the Whitecaps came back and won it in the shootout.

Toronto Six goal scorers: Lindsay Eastwood, Mikyla Grant-Mentis, Breanne Wilson-Bennett (2), Taylor Woods

Whitecaps goal scorers:  Sydney Baldwin, Hayley Mack , Audra Richards, Meaghan Pezon

Metropolitan Riveters vs. Connecticut Whale 

Final Score: Riveters 4 Whale 3 

Both teams headed into this matchup with a win from their first day and the Riveters were definitely challenged by the Whale going into the third period with a tie game 3-3. Despite the Riveters scoring two goals early only eight seconds apart from each other, the Whale began finding the net; making the third period a nail biter.

Riveters goal scorers: Mallory Rushton, Cailey Hutchinson, Rebecca Russo, Theresa Knutson

Whale goal scorers:  Amanda Conway, Kaycie Anderson

Boston Pride vs. Buffalo Beauts

Final Score:  Pride 5 Beauts 1 

These teams were coming off of close games from the previous nights, but Boston proved their strength early and gained a large lead over the Beauts. Sammy Davis with the Pride and the #1 overall draft pick scored her first goal and hopefully more to follow. The Beauts’ Kristin Lewicki scored with a goal early(her second of the weekend), but the team could not create the right opportunities the rest of the game.

Pride goal scorers:  Christina Putigna, Jillian Dempsey (2), Sammy Davis, Taylor Wenczkowski

Beauts goal scorers:  Kristin Lewicki

Do not miss any NWHL action during their bubble season at Lake Placid, New York. For the full game schedule check out NWHL Season Six: Everything You Need to Know. 

Image c/o NWHL