By Rick Menning
Do the first-place Connecticut Whale of the Premier Hockey Federation have everyone's attention now?
Winners of a franchise record-tying eight straight games, this amazing squad of women athletes just turned the women's hockey world on its ear with an outstanding two-game 3-2 and 6-1 sweep over the Boston Pride.
Sensational, and coming at Warrior Ice Arena and against the defending Isobel Cup champions! Along with taking out the brooms, the Whale posted win No. 9 and 10 in 14 games this season.
Not since its inaugural season has the Whale franchise shown such incredible feats one game after another after another. Danbury and the entire state of Connecticut should be acknowledging this remarkable team with all the plaudits the green and blue-uniformed squad deserves.
Connecticut's astounding effort up in Massachusetts over this Feb. 5-6 weekend not only upped their PHF-leading point total to 31, but also sent the Pride reeling to their third straight loss on home ice.
The Whale's ability to roll four lines and maintain their high-powered offensive consistency regardless of which line is on the ice has been a key reason why Head Coach Colton Orr's skaters are the talk of the league right now.
"It's awesome to be a part of a team with so much depth," said left-winger Taylor Girard on ESPN+ between the second and third periods of Sunday's series finale. "We have a full four lines that can score. No matter who is on the ice, you never know what's going to happen because everyone can score."
The Quinnipiac University standout and first-round pick in this season's PHF draft forms Connecticut's top line along with center Kennedy Marchment and right-winger Alyssa Wohlfeiler.
Girard and Marchment each had a goal and two assists for a three-point afternoon to complement the two missile-type goals that propelled off Wohlfeiler's stick.
Hannah Bates, who entered the game with four assists on the season, celebrated her first goal late in the third period to round out the scoring.
Janine Weber and her potent line also made an impact in the contest as Weber lit the lamp off assists on the rush from Emma Vlasic and Amanda Conway.
Vlasic had two of the three goals in the Whale's prime-time showing on Saturday. Marchment added the other score in the cliffhanger triumph.
After Boston scored its second goal to take a 2-1 lead on Saturday, the Whale outscored the Pride 8-1. Unheard of at Warrior!
Abbie Ives had another fantastic weekend between the posts for the Whale. After a hard-fought 24-save showing that included some tough stops in the third period, she turned back another 34 on Sunday to give her 58 total against Boston.
"What an incredible weekend for the Whale," voiced Steve Goldstein, who handled the play-by-play and commentary along with Alexis Pearson on ESPN+. "What a terrific season this team continues to have."
Goldstein knows a little something about teams in the midst of terrific seasons. He's the voice of the National Hockey League juggernaut Florida Panthers.
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