By Michael Heilman

After securing their first win of the season, the Connecticut Whale were looking to make it two straight Sunday afternoon at the Warrior Ice Arena against the Boston Pride.

A minute and thirty-seven seconds into the first period, the Whale’s struck first as Elena Gualtieri scored to put the Whale’s up 1-0. Less than twelve minutes later, Boston would tie the game 1-1 on a goal by Jordan Juron with assists from Emily Fluke and Briana Mastel.

A tripping call against Connecticut forward Kendra Broad put Boston on the power play. The Whale’s defense defended their side of the ice and stopped the Pride from taking the lead on the power play. Connecticut could not hold Boston for long as Boston took the lead four minutes later 2-1 on a goal from Lexie Laing. Both teams committed a penalty late in the first period as the Pride remained in the lead 2-1.

Connecticut was not backing down without a fight. Boston was dominating the shots total in the game and were able to extend the lead 3-1 with under a minute left in the second period by Kaleigh Fratkin with assists from Christina Putigna and Mallory Souliotis. Boston had nineteen shots in the second period were heading to the third period with a 3-1 lead at the end of the second period.

Eleven seconds into the third period, Jillian Dempsey added to Boston’s lead 4-1 with assists from Christina Putigna and Kaleigh Fratkin. Seven minutes and seven seconds later, the Pride were going on their second power play of the game on a roughing call against Whale’s defenseman Shannon Doyle. Once again, Connecticut prevented the Pride from doing more damage on the power play to keep it a 4-1 game. Connecticut was able to cut Boston’s lead in half 4-2 on a goal by Emma Vlasic. Connecticut came up short as they were defeated by the Boston Pride 4-2.

Boston Pride had a total of fifty-nine shots, and the Whale’s had twenty-nine. Boston Pride goalie Lovisa Selander made twenty-seven of twenty-nine saves, allowing two goals, and Whale’s goalie Sonjia Shelly was fifty-three of fifty-seven saves allowing four goals.

The three stars of the game were Pride forward Jillian Dempsey with one goal, Pride forward Christina Putigna with two assists, and Pride defenseman Kaleigh Fratkin with one goal and one assist.

Connecticut will now travel to the Tria Rink next weekend for two games against the Minnesota Whitecaps Saturday at 2 pm, and Sunday at 4 pm. Boston Pride will host the Metropolitan Riveters next Monday at 1:30 pm from the Warrior Ice Arena.