The Metropolitan Riveters are headed to Minnesota for a two-game series against the Whitecaps. This will be while the team partners with the Minnesota Wild to host Girls’ Hockey Weekend.
This is the fourth annual Girls’ Hockey Weekend in Minnesota, which allows young girls the opportunity to participate in clinics on Friday and Saturday with pro-women hockey players in the area. The Wild will also be hosting a “Skate with the Whitecaps” event before a game the following weekend.
The Riveters will look to go on their first win streak of the season after winning two Sundays in a row against the Connecticut Whale. However, this was short-lived as they lost to the Boston Pride twice. Defender Cassie Dunne is still out with a head injury, however, she will travel with the team. And she may even be added to the lineup on Sunday.
Anna Keys is back in the lineup which gives more breathing room to the defense. Also, Nicole Arnold is taking up a new center spot on the third line. Kendall Cornine was named co-player of the week by the NWHL after a four-goal weekend. So, hopefully, she can bring some momentum to the “state of hockey as well”.
On the Road Again
This will be the second look the Riveters get of the Whitecaps after splitting a weekend series with them to open the season. However, things are now much different for both teams. The Rivs have shown significant improvement, getting to face the dominant Pride every weekend since. And the Whitecaps sit at 4-4 after playing every team in the league twice.
Jonna Curtis, Nicole Schammel, and Amanda Boulier lead the Whitecaps in scoring, but if they can be held in check the Riveters have a great chance of making some big moves in their zone. This isn’t the same Minnesota team that shut down every team that visited them last season.
The Riveters are looking to prove they can beat more than just the Whale, and they aren’t afraid of getting physical and can easily nab a win on the road.
Players To Watch
Kendall Cornine: Once again, Cornine will always be a player to watch. She’s riding a hot-streak right now and hasn’t had a bad shift once this season.
Cailey Hutchison: Hutchison had an uncharacteristically poor performance last weekend. But, I will continue to say that she’s just one small step away from netting her first goal. Especially since she is always around the play whenever a good thing happens. When she makes the right adjustment, she will get the box score recognition she deserves.
Kate Leary: Hutchison’s linemate has some pretty intimidating numbers and has proven she is worthy of the top line minutes alongside some great players in Hutchison and Packer. She leads the team in power play goals and is second to only Cornine in scoring percentage. I think she’s due for some sole credit this weekend.
Predictions
Going into Minnesota and winning two games in a row is tough, but possible for a team that has spent most of its season playing against the Boston Pride. With a full roster and enough momentum, I think the Rivs can make it an interesting weekend. I’ll stay humble and say they take the first game on Saturday 5-3, but lose on Sunday 3-2.
Where To Watch
The first game will be streamed on the NWHL Twitch channel at 8:00 PM EST on Saturday. And the second game will be streamed at 2:00 PM EST on Sunday.