Kosta, Babstock help Connecticut win second straight by beating New York

Connecticut rookie Nicole Kosta had a goal and two assists Sunday as the Whale won their second straight game with a win over New York.

Connecticut Whale rookie Nicole Kosta had a great weekend.

Kosta had two goals on Saturday night in Connecticut’s win over Buffalo. On Sunday afternoon, Kosta had a goal and two assists to help the Whale win their second straight game with a 4-2 decision over the New York Riveters in National Women’s Hockey League action in Newark, New Jersey.

After losing three straight games, the Whale won their second straight game in less than 24 hours. They beat Buffalo, 6-1, on Saturday night in their home opener at Northford Ice Pavilion. Faceoff for Sunday’s contest against New York came at 5 p.m.

Connecticut (4-4) got the job done without three of their best players – U.S. national team members Kelli Stack, Dana Trivigno and Haley Skaprupa.

They were among 37 players who were invited to USA Hockey women’s winter training camp beginning Monday through Thursday, Dec. 15, in Plymouth, Michigan. Players will be evaluated to pick players for the U.S. Women’s Select team for a pair of games against Canada on Saturday, Dec. 17 (Plymouth, Mich.) and Monday, Dec. 19 (Sarnia, Ontario).

It will also be used to compile the United States roster for the 2017 International Ice Hockey Federation’s world championship tournament on March 31 through April 7 in Plymouth, Michigan.

Stack had two goals on Saturday night while Trivigno and Skarupa each had assists against Buffalo.

“There is a lot of talent in this league. But it’s not always about the most talented team,” Connecticut coach Heather Linstad said. “It is about which team buckles down and who plays their system as a five-man unit.”

Connecticut’s Kelly Babstock had two goals in Sunday’s 4-2 win over the New York Riveters.

Leading scorer Kelly Babstock had two goals and an assist for Connecticut while goalie Nicole Stock (3-1) won her second straight game, making 23 saves. Babstock has five goals and seven assists in eight games for the Whale for 12 points.

Kosta, who played at Quinnipiac last winter, put Connecticut on the board quickly, scoring off assist from Micaela Long and Babstock with 4:43 gone in the game. It was her third goal of the weekend. 

New York (2-5-2) took a 2-1 lead on second-period goals from Taylor Holze and Ashley Johnson but the Whale tied the game on Babstock’s fourth goal of the season with 7:11 left in the second period.

Babstock gave Connecticut the lead, scoring a shorthanded goal with just 4:56 gone in the third period. It was the second shorthanded goal for the Whale in two days. Rookie Nicole Connery added a fourth goal with 4:08 left in the game to give the Whale some breathing room. Connery, who also played at Quinnipiac last winter, had two assists.

With the victory, Connecticut (4-4) moves into second place in the league with eight points ahead of Buffalo (3-5-1). But the Whale are far behind defending NWHL champion Boston, who is 8-0 with 16 points.

Connecticut returns to action next Sunday when the Whale host New York at Northford Ice Pavilion at 2:30 p.m.

Connecticut 4, New York 2
At Newark, N.J.
Connecticut (4-4)             1  1  2  — 4
New York (2-5-2)              0  2  0  — 2
First period
Connecticut 1, Nicole Kosta (Micaela Long, Kelly Babstock), 5:17; Penalties: Shannon Doyle (CT), slashing, 14:59, Nicole Kosta (CT), roughing, 16:33, Taylor Holze (NY), hooking, 19:57
Second period
New York 1, Taylor Holze (Rebecca Russo, Courtney Burke), 5:04; New York 2, Ashley Johnston (Alexa Gruschow, Madison Packer), 5:50; Connecticut 2, Kelly Babstock (Nicole Connery, Nicole Kosta); Penalties: Kelly Babstock (CT), checking, 13:49
Third period
Connecticut 3, Kelly Babstock (shorthanded), 4:56; Connecticut 4, Nicole Connery (Nicole Kosta, Shannon Doyle), 16:52; Penalties: Juana Baribeau (CT), 4:37; Sam Faber (CT), 7:27
Shots on goal: Connecticut 24 (8-10-6), New York 25 (8-8-9); Saves – Nicole Stock, Connecticut (W, 2-1) 23 saves, 25 shots; Katie Fitzgerald, New York (L), 20 saves, 24 shots

Saturday, Dec. 10
Connecticut 6, Buffalo 1
Sunday, Dec. 11
Connecticut 4, New York 2
Sunday, Dec. 18
New York at Connecticut, 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 7
Boston at New York, TBD
Buffalo at Connecticut, 7 p.m.