2nd NWHL All-Star Game explained

Game Name:2nd NWHL All-Star Game
Visitor:Team Steadman
Home:Team Kessel
Visitor Total:10
Visitor Per1:2
Visitor Per2:5
Visitor Per3:3
Home Total:11
Home Per1:3
Home Per2:5
Home Per3:3
Date:February 12, 2017
City:Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Arena:UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex
Mvp:Amanda Kessel
Previous:2016
Next:2018

The 2nd NWHL All-Star Game took place at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex on February 12, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[1] A skills competition was held the day prior on February 11, 2017.[2] This edition of the All-Star Game featured a "fantasy draft" format in order to determine the rosters. The team captains were Amanda Kessel from the New York Riveters, and forward Kelley Steadman, who was the MVP of the 2016 NWHL All-Star Game, from the Buffalo Beauts.

Selected players

Fan voting

Over 20,000 votes were cast in order to select four more players to add to the All-Star Game rosters.

Player NationalityTeam
  1. of votes
Harrison BrowneBuffalo Beauts
Gigi MarvinBoston Pride
Madison PackerNew York Riveters
Rebecca RussoNew York Riveters
[3]

Media selection

A group of NWHL reporters were given the ability to choose two players to attend the All-Star Game on 6 January 2016.[4] [5]

Player NationalityTeam
Ashley JohnstonNew York Riveters
Kelly BabstockConnecticut Whale

Rosters

Team Kessel
PlayerTeamPos.Nat.
Brittany OttBoston PrideGoaltender
Nicole StockConnecticut WhaleGoaltender
Kacey BellamyBoston PrideDefense
Megan BozekBuffalo BeautsDefense
Courtney BurkeNew York RivetersDefense
Gigi MarvinBoston BladesDefense
Harrison BrowneBuffalo BeautsForward
Meghan DugganBoston PrideForward
Zoe HickelBoston Pride
(traded to Connecticut before deadline)
Forward
Amanda KesselNew York RivetersForward
Hilary KnightBoston PrideForward
Rebecca RussoNew York RivetersForward
Kelli StackConnecticut WhaleForward
Dana TrivignoConnecticut WhaleForward
Team Steadman
PlayerTeamPos.Nat.
Katie FitzgeraldNew York RivetersGoaltender
Brianne McLaughlinBuffalo BeautsGoaltender
Blake BoldenBoston PrideDefense
Kaleigh FratkinNew York RivetersDefense
Ashley JohnstonNew York RivetersDefense
Emily PfalzerBuffalo BeautsDefense
Kelly BabstockConnecticut WhaleForward
Corinne BuieBuffalo BeautsForward
Alex CarpenterBoston PrideForward
Shiann DarkangeloBuffalo BeautsForward
Brianna DeckerBoston PrideForward
Madison PackerNew York RivetersForward
Haley SkarupaConnecticut WhaleForward
Kelley SteadmanBuffalo BeautsForward

Game summary

The All-Star Game started with a 3-2 lead for Team Kessel, as they emerged victorious in the Skills Competition held on February 10, 2017, which saw both teams compete in a series of five skills events. A pair of twenty-five minute periods was staged at the All-Star Game, rather than the traditional format of three twenty-minute periods.

In the first period, Team Steadman scored the first goal, as Brianna Decker scored against Team Kessel goaltender Brittany Ott. Rookie Alexandra Carpenter was credited with the assist on Decker’s goal, as the score was now tied 3-3.

Kessel would score an unassisted goal on Team Steadman goaltender Brianne McLaughlin to reclaim the lead. Before the period would expire, a total of 10 goals were scored, with Team Kessel claiming an 8-7 lead.

Goals for Team Kessel were scored by Megan Bozek, Rebecca Russo and Harrison Browne, while Kessel scored another. Madison Packer would score twice for Team Steadman. Other Team Steadman scorers in the first included Emily Pfalzer and Kelly Babstock, the first (and only) Canadian-born player to score a goal in the game.

The second period saw Katie Fitzgerald between the pipes for Team Steadman, while Nicole Stock guarded the crease for Team Kessel. Harrison Browne would score another goal, while Hilary Knight also added her name to the scoresheet.

Team Steadman’s other scorers in the second period included Haley Skarupa, Carpenter and Steadman. Of note, Steadman would score to tie the game at 10-apiece. An empty net goal by Kessel would win the game for her team, as she recorded the first hat trick in NWHL All-Star Game history. For her efforts, she was recognized as the Game’s Most Valuable Player.[6]

Skills competition

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The 2017 NWHL All-Star Game will be held in.... NWHL zone . 2016-12-07. 2017-01-13.
  2. Web site: Details Set for 2017 NWHL All-Star Game in Pittsburgh. NHL.com/Penguins . 2016-12-13. 2017-01-13.
  3. Web site: Fans Select Four NWHL All-Stars for Pittsburgh. NHL.com/Penguins . 2017-01-05. 2017-01-13.
  4. News: Linehan. Meg. Whale’s Babstock, Riveters’ Johnston added to NWHL All-Star Game. 15 January 2017. Excelle Sports. 6 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170116173204/http://www.excellesports.com/news/whale-babstock-riveters-johnston-nwsl/. 16 January 2017. dead.
  5. News: deSimas, Jr. Gerry. Babstock leads five players from Whale selected to play in NWHL All-Star Game. 15 January 2017. The Collinsville Press. 12 January 2017.
  6. Web site: NWHL Stars Shine Bright in Pittsburgh. NWHL. 2017-02-13. 2017-02-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20170215022834/http://www.nwhl.zone/news_article/show/757347?referrer_id=2739439. 2017-02-15. dead.