The Buffalo Beauts and Boston Pride squared off in a pivotal matchup amidst a loud buzz from the women’s hockey world.
The announcement of the members of Team USA’s exhibition roster came just hours before women’s hockey stars burned brightly in the NHL All-Star skills competition and one day before nine of those future teammates would take contentious ice Buffalo’s beautiful barn. These momentous occasions set the tone for the importance of the game, in which the winner would own sole possession of second place in the standings.
The game was intensely physical, with teams combining for 12 penalties, including two roughing calls (one by a goaltender), an elbowing call, a body-checking call, and two infractions for contact with the goalie.