Blades Blank Brampton 6-0, Split Weekend Series
After a lethargic 2-1 shootout loss on Saturday night against the Brampton Thunder, the Boston Blades (CWHL) salvaged their weekend series by rallying Sunday to a 6-0 win.
On Saturday, Casey Pickett notched the Blades’ only goal in the second period. Brampton would score the game-tying goal with give minutes left in the third period when Jesse Scanzano beat Blades netminder Genevieve Lacasse. After a scoreless overtime, Jamie Lee Rattray would net the game-winning goal when she put a puck behind Lacasse. Lacasse stopped 23 of 24 pucks in regulation time.
Sunday’s game featured the Blades coming back with a vengeance.
Jordan Smelker notched her first goal and hat trick in the victory, propelling the Blades to their win. Tara Watchorn notched one goal and two assists; Hilary Knight scored one goal and registered one assist. The sixth goal came from Monique Lamoureux, unassisted, in the third period.
Despite their lead the Blades never let up throughout the game, and peppered Thunder goaltenders Erica Howe and reliever Liz Knox with 34 total shots.
Blades goaltender Brittany Ott stopped all 15 shots she faced. It was her second shutout of the season.
The Blades captured three of four points in the series, and their record falls to 4-0-1. The Thunder are now 2-6-1.
The true test for the Blades will come next weekend in a three game series at home against the red hot Calgary Inferno. The Inferno are 6-1-1, and hold first place in CWHL league standings. Their roster boasts big names of Canadian National team fame such as Rebecca Johnston (14 points), Haley Irwin (11 points) and Brittany Esposito (7 points).
The Blades will face off against the Inferno next Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 12:30 p.m.