Game Story
Markham, ONT – Closing out the Canadian Women’s Hockey League’s opening week the Worcester Blades took on the Markham Thunder for the final game of their trip on Sunday. Markham took game two at the Thornhill Community Centre with a final score of 4-1.
Blades used the same line-up as Saturday’s game, aside from Jess Convery being dressed for her pro debut. Convery made 33 saves in the Blades loss. Lauren Dahm made 14 saves in her relief effort.
Jess Jones scored her third goal of the weekend on the power play halfway through the first period. Jess Convery stopped an impressive 25 saves in the opening frame, with the Blades registering just 3 shots on goal. Worcester had one unsuccessful power play and two penalty kills in the period.
Markham would continue on their successes of last night with another two goals in the middle frame. Daniella Matteucci scored her first pro goal at 10:21. Jamie Lee Rattray scored the Thunder’s second power play goal of the day just two minutes later. After allowing tree goals in 32 minutes, Lauren Dahm was put in net to relieve Jessica Convery.
What is perhaps the Blades’ most notable event in Sunday’s match was the first goal since the team moved to Worcester, which was scored at 14:33 in the second period by Casey Stathopoulous with her first pro goal at even strength. Worcester trailed 3-1 with Markham out shooting the Blades 42-9.
Blades’ looked to capitalize on their momentum from their only goal of the game heading into the final frame. With two power play opportunities in the third, they were unable to reach the back of the net. Victoria Bach put the game away with Markham’s fourth goal, which was shorthanded with under three minutes left in the game. Markham took home their second win of the weekend, 3-1. The Thunder’s offense put up a high of 50 shots over Worcester’s 15.
The Three Stars of the Game were:
- Daniella Matteucci (MAR) – 1 goal
- Laura Stacey (MAR) – 2 assists
- Jessica Convery (WOR) – 33 saves
Next Weekend: The Blades return to Worcester for their first two games at the Worcester Ice Center next weekend. Blades will play in matinee matchups against the Toronto Furies on Saturday (3 PM) and Sunday (2 PM). Saturday’s game will conclude about an hour before the Railers play at the DCU Center, for those that wish to support both of Worcester’s pro hockey teams.
Box Score
| Scoring | 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | SO | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester Blades | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Markham Thunder | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Shots | 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | SO | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester Blades | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Markham Thunder | 26 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Notes
- Blades Scratches: Mariah Fujimagari, Carrie Atkinson, and Alexis Miller.
- Thunder Scratches: Kelly Gibbons
- As noted on Twitter, there will not be any game coverage for next week’s home opener for the Blades due to a scheduling conflict. Instead, look for an article that will be posted on Sunday summarizing the two match-ups.
- Game coverage articles from here on out will be on a game-to-game basis, as there is only so much to write about games without streams that you aren’t attending, with everything be based on what is reported on box scores.
- For those wondering what the streaming availability for the remainder of the season will be, 4 more games will be broadcast on the CWHL’s website. Next Saturday’s game will be broadcast live from the Worcester Ice Center. The full schedule of remaining dates are:
- October 20, vs Toronto
- November 9, at Shenzhen
- December 1, at Montreal
- February 16, vs Montreal