Katie Burt Steals the Show in Shootout Victory over the Six

J.J. Pavlick

12/10/22

The Riveters have done it! In one of the most epic and pulse-pounding shootouts of all time, they've achieved victory in dramatic fashion. Fans were on the edge of their seats as every save was made and only Minttu's shot 7 hole was converted for the Riveters in the shoot-out. When the dust settled, the Riveters had emerged triumphant. It was a truly mind-blowing sight to behold.

Talk about a welcome back to the league-type game, Katie Burt was stellar from the start and put in a full 65 minutes plus. Katie made 30 saves on 32 shots by the Toronto Six over 4 periods of play.

"For Kate to come in today and do what she did was a huge plus for the team." "The mentality of starting off strong and tough was a huge plus for us, we had good confidence on the puck, we won the neutral zone today which was huge for us, had a few penalties today but overall, a better job minimizing them, now we look forward to tomorrow." - Venla Hovi Head Coach post-game

The Riveters opened the scoring 11:31 into the 1st period when Amanda Pelkey found herself open in the slot and popped the bottle off the goal, going high blocker side to put her side up 1-0. She made a beeline out of the penalty box taking the puck right in on Elaine Chuli who was making highlight-reel saves till that point for the Six. The goal was assisted by Kendall Cornine and Regan Rust. Toronto responded when a bench penalty was issued to the Riveters at 12:05 into the 1st period, it was served by Kaycie Anderson. The Six scored seconds into the power play when Dominikia Laskova was left unmarked on the left dot. She fired a rocket into the goal despite Burts best efforts to dive across superman style. The first period would end 1-1 and it was again a momentary lapse that doomed the Riveters who were playing well to that point and Burt was outstanding. The sin bin had two more guests before the 1st period ended Alexis Woloschuk would go for tripping at 13:09 of the period for Toronto and Ebba Berglund would go for tripping at 19:55 of the 1st period for the Metropolitans. Shots at the end of the period favored the Riveters 14 - 8.

The Riveters would come out strong in the second period peppering the Six goalie without mercy. The Rivs drew a power play at 7:43 of the second period, however, Chuli stood her ground denying chance after chance from point-blank range. Chuli stood her ground till 11:40 of the second period when Regan Rust like her teammate popped the bottle off Chuli's goal blocker side. Regan found space in the middle of the slot and didn't miss after getting a great feed from her teammate Kelly Babstock. The Riveters would hold the 2-1 lead until Toronto scored another power-play goal 16:30 into the second period when goal-scoring machine Brittany Howard found space after a failed clear attempt and buried her shot past goalie Katie Burt. The goal was assisted by Michela Cava and Emma Woods. The penalty was called on Sarah Bujold for boarding, while it was a harsh penalty by the ref it's a part of the game. The only other penalty of the period went to Courtney Gardiner at 18:19 of the period for roughing. The Riveters were outshot that period 14 - 10. Shots for the game stand at 24 - 22 for the Riveters.

The 3rd period was absolutely intense, and both teams saw their netminders make breakaway saves to save the game for their team. The Rivs dominated the shots in the 3rd period outshooting the Six 12 - 5. The game got physical, and the Riveters never backed down, Sarah Bujold was a feisty presence in front of goal and continued jabbing away at pucks in the crease getting under Toronto's skin who peppered her with relentless cross-checks for her efforts. No goals would be scored in this frame and only 1 trip to the sin bin was made by Michela Cava at the 14:05 mark of the third period for holding. The Riveters couldn't capitalize on the man advantage today, but it wasn't for a lack of trying or poor play. Chuli was just a brick wall in goal when her team needed her on the penalty kill. I have to say this game was the closest to 60 minutes of puck we've seen this season by the Riveters. They only went to the sin bin 4 times 1 was a bench minor another was a questionable boarding call. If you're a Riveters fan you had to be proud of the team's performance this game heading into overtime. You finally got to see how dangerous this team is when they play a rough but disciplined game.

Overtime was a wild one no goals were scored, but not due to either team lacking chances. While Toronto had a 5-2 shot advantage both of the Riveter's chances were right in front of the goal 1 v 1 with Chuli. Burt would come through with an amazing save on Brittany Howard who found herself 1 v 1 from center ice with Burt. Burt never flinched and completely stoned Howard. The only penalty call went against Toronto 4:27 into OT, Shiann Darkangelo went for tripping. The Rivs had chances, but Chuli shut the door and we headed to a shootout. Bujold was shaken up at the end of the period. Team Update: "Sarah Bujold is doing okay and will be ready to go tomorrow!"

Katie Burt was stellar in goal, stopping 3 of 3 shots while Elaine Chuli put forth a valiant effort on the other side, stopping 2 of 3 attempts. Katie's efforts were enough to earn her team the victory and proudly take home the win. She deserves all the praise for standing strong under intense pressure and rising to the occasion in her team debut.

The Riveters' dramatic shootout victory will remain in the hearts and minds of Riveter fans for a long time. It was an epic night that no one who witnessed it will forget anytime soon! Until next time, game on! Congratulations to Katie Burt and the Riveters! The two sides will face off tomorrow at 2 pm ET on ESPN+ and TSN.ca