Following the winter break, the Metropolitan Riveters are rested and ready to go with a pair of games this weekend at their home rink, American Dream.
The Riveters are currently sitting fourth overall in the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) standings with an overall record of 4-6-0 (11 pts). They look to establish more consistency in their weekend matchups, especially against the Connecticut Whale, who sit in fifth place with 10 points.
In their first half of the season, the Riveters were unsuccessful in maintaining a winning streak. In 10 games, the New Jersey-based team has to win consecutive games. The Riveters average 2.7 goals per game, good enough for fourth in the league.
PHF newcomer Sarah Bujold leads the Riveters in scoring with 11 points (6 G, 5A) in her fourth professional season. Bujold is ranked second in the league with two shorthanded goals. The St. Xavier University standout credits her success to her linemates Kelly Babstock and Fanni Garát-Gasparics.
“I have to give credit to them. We create so much, we are fast, strong, and we bring a lot of energy to our line and to the team overall”, Bujold told Black Rosie Media. The trio accounts for 14 of the Riveters' 27 goals this season.
Moving into the remainder of the season, Bujold hopes the momentum the Riveters had before the break continues as they return to action this weekend.
“We want to take how we were playing before the break and build on that for the second half of the season.” This includes attacking the net and maintaining possession of the puck throughout all three zones.
They will have a chance to start 2023 off on the right foot as they host the Boston Pride and Connecticut Whale at The Rink at American Dream this weekend.
“We know they are a good team with good players, but we also know we can play against them,” Bujold said about the weekend schedule.
The Riveters may be on home ice but they have their work cut out for them when playing Boston, especially after the holiday break. Tonight marks the second meeting between the Pride and Riveters this season. The Riveters were held scoreless by Boston goaltender Corinne Schoeder and ultimately fell to the Pride 2-0 on November 6 at Warrior Ice Arena. The Pride outshot the Riveters 47-27 in their opening match, bringing home Bujold’s point that the Riveters will look to control possession and maximize their shooting chances.
As for her personal goals, Bujold wants to have her best pro season yet. It’s been an adjustment playing what she called a quicker game on a smaller ice surface compared to the SDHL. However, Bujold has already made her mark, including earning the PHF First Star of the Week on November 22. Further, per Elite Prospects, she is on pace to match her second-highest goal tally (14) in her professional career.
“I'm just looking to develop my game overall and keep getting shots on net ‘cause that's the only way you're gonna score,” Bujold told us.
In other words, shooters are gonna shoot.
You can watch Bujold and the Riveters take on the Boston Pride at 7:00 PM ET and the Connecticut Whale Sunday at 1:00 PM ET on ESPN+. For more on all seven PHF teams, check out the Black Rosie Media PHF New Year’s Resolutions article.
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