Caitlin Lonergan scored her third goal of the season Saturday in Toronto in the Whale’s 7-4 loss to the Six.
TORONTO, Jan. 21, 2023 – The Premier Hockey Federation’s leading scorer, Toronto’s Brittany Howard, had two goals and two assists as the Toronto Six won their tenth game of the season with a 7-4 win over the Connecticut Whale on Saturday.
The Six (10-1-2) scored three goals in a span of 54 seconds in the second period to seize control of the contest. The game was tied 2-2 after one period but Toronto scored four goals in the second period to take the lead for good.
Breanne Willson-Bennett, Howard and Tereza Vanisova each had two goals for the Six, who have won seven straight games. Howard, the league’s top goal scorer with 14 goals, also had two assists.
Toronto took a 3-2 lead in the second period when Wilson-Bennett deflected a shot into the net. Less than 10 seconds later, it was Vanisova scoring on a breakaway for a 4-2 lead. Forty seconds later, it was Vanisova again with the goal for a 5-2 lead.
Connecticut (6-6-1) got goals from Emma Vlasic, Melissa Samoskevich, Emma Keenan and Caitlin Lonergan. Abbie Ives got the start in net but was lifted late in the second period for Meeri Raisanen. It’s the first time this season that Connecticut has changed goalies during the game.
The Whale gave up a season-high seven goals to Toronto, which remains three points behind first place Boston (12-2).
The two teams conclude their two-game series on Sunday at 2 p.m. The game can be seen on ESPN Plus.
The Whale return to Simsbury and the International Skating Center of Connecticut to face the Montreal Force on Friday, January 27.
Toronto 7, Connecticut 4
At York, Ontario
Connecticut (6-6-1) 2 0 2 — 4
Toronto (10-1-2) 2 4 1 — 7
First period
Toronto 1, Breanne Wilson-Bennett (Brittany Howard), 7:55; Connecticut 1, Emma Vlasic (Emma Keenan, Lenka Serdar), 11:56; Connecticut 2, Melissa Samoskevich (Justine Reyes), 14:51, Toronto 2, Brittany Howard (Brooke Boquist), 18:29; Penalties — none
Second period
Toronto 3, Breanne Wilson-Bennett (Taylor Davison, Brittany Howard), 13:02; Toronto 4, Tereza Vanisova, 13:09; Toronto 5, Tereza Vanisova, 13:56; Toronto 6, Brittany Howard (Breanne Wilson Bennett), 18:39; Penalties: Shiann Darkangelo (T) hooking, 2:34; Taylor Girard (CT) hooking, 19:05
Third period
Connecticut 3, Caitrin Lonergan (Taylor Girard), 5:39 (pp); Connecticut 4, Emma Keenan (Melissa Samoskevich, Victoria Howran), 18:29; Toronto 7, Shiann Darkangelo (Emma Woods), 19:21; Penalties – Emma Greco (T) tripping, 4:11; Katerina Mrazova (CT) boarding, 10:32; Emma Vlasic (CT) tripping, 14:57
Shots: Connecticut 25 (11-7-7), Toronto 25 (5-13-7); Saves: Connecticut – Abbie Ives 10 saves (L, 4-4); Meeri Raisanen 8 saves; Toronto – Elaine Chuli 21 saves (W, 8-1); Power plays: Connecticut 1-2, Toronto 0-3
