The NWHL season is taking a pause for three weeks during the Four Nations Cup, in which a collection of players from both the NWHL and CWHL will participate. While this may halt momentum for teams doing well already, it couldn’t be better for the Metropolitan Riveters.

Coming off of a three-loss, championship-winning season, the Riveters weren’t expecting much of a change to their roster. As a result, they didn’t see much of a change to their gameplay. With six games into the season, they currently sit in fourth place (of five) with an abysmal record of 1-5. The Connecticut Whale are the only team below them, however they have only played three games so far (losing all of them).

A lot of Metropolitan’s struggles this season can be attributed to the four losses they gave up to the inaugural Minnesota Whitecaps, and success of their team composed primarily of University of Minnesota alumni and major pieces from the Olympic gold medal USA team, a force the Rivs didn’t have to face last season. However, a big question mark still seems to hover over the Metropolitan squad that dominated the ice last year.

So, what will it take for the Riveters to turn it around?

In their lone win over the Boston Pride, Rebecca Russo scored two go-ahead goals, giving the Riveters their win. Alongside Madison Packer and Amanda Kessel on the top line, the three are one of the deadliest lines in the NWHL this season. Packer to the top line was a late move, but one I think solidified them, and generated a lot more scoring opportunities. Keeping them together and in sync is vital.

The old saying ‘the best offense is a good defense’ couldn’t ring more true for the Riveters. Despite giving up 23 goals in six games this season, I maintain that Katie Fitzgerald’s stats are not indicative of her gameplay. She is still the same Phenomenal Fitzy in the crease, who is just dealing with a defense that’s not offering her much help. With a new coach who’s playing around with defensive pairs, it seems pretty important he has to find something that clicks.

One key factor to the Rivs struggles lately may have been the loss of two big name players Harrison Brown and Miya D’Oench. While two-time Isobel Cup champion Brown will not be returning after announcing their retirement this offseason, D’Oench is expected to join the lineup again soon. Hopefully she can generate some offense and really tie her line together. Last season D’Oench assisted the game winning goal in the Isobel Cup final, and had 13 points in nine games.

Last season, Alexa Gruschow was league MVP, and averaged over a point-per-game. This year, she has posted straight goose eggs. After an amazing breakout year, Gruschow has been awfully quiet with only eight shots on goal and nothing to show for her bleak contributions. Hopefully Gruschow can make a comeback in November and bring the heat she was known for last season.

Finally, the Riveters didn’t name a new head coach until very late on the offseason. It’s obvious the team didn’t have much time to click with former New Jersey Devil, Randy Velischek, who has never coached women’s hockey before this year…and it shows. Right now, the Riveters are consistently playing a defensive style of play. Dump, and chase, and change lines. Repeat. Somewhere along the line the system isn’t working, and I don’t think Velischek knows just what to do.

Because the Riveterss have only played two teams thus far, one being the undefeated Whitecaps, it’s hard to tell where they really stand compared to every team but with two upcoming games against the last place Connecticut Whale, the Riveters might have the bounce back they are desperately looking.