• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Women's Hockey
NWHL
Minnesota Whitecaps

Whitecaps Win Isobel Cup in OT Thriller

By Dan Rice March 18th, 2019

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

In what was an instant classic the Minnesota Whitecaps finished an inaugural season for the ages when they defeated the Buffalo Beauts 2-1 just 49 seconds into overtime of the NWHL’s Isobel Cup Final. The Whitecaps become the fourth different franchise in four seasons to capture the NWHL championship and by virtue of having the league’s best record they were able to do it in front of a sold out, standing room only crowd at home in TRIA Rink.

After a clean face-off win by Katie McGovern that went straight back to gold medalist Lee Stecklein, the Whitecaps defender fired a shot on net that nicked the stick of Buffalo’s Dani Cameranesi enough to elude goaltender Nicole Hensley and find the back of the net. Stecklein (1g-1a, 4 blocked shots) was named Playoff MVP. Hensley was the surprise starter when the Beauts announced early Sunday afternoon that Shannon Szabados was unavailable with a lower-body injury. She was easily Buffalo’s MVP in the title game and walks away empty-handed following a stellar 29-save performance. 

49 SECONDS IN OT AND @WhitecapsHockey WIN THE ISOBEL CUP IN THEIR FIRST SEASON IN THE #NWHL

Lee Stecklein with the goal through the five hole to win the game, 2-1. pic.twitter.com/C0KY8bMIZz

— The Ice Garden (@TheIceGarden) March 17, 2019

In the other crease, Amanda Leveille became the league’s first two-time Cup-winning goalie and the third player in league history (Corinne Buie, Harrison Browne) to win multiple Cups by calmly stopping 22 of the 23 shots she faced in the title game. It was a bit of redemption for Leveille who was in a similar spot as Hensley last season – losing a one-goal game in the Isobel Cup Final. 

Early Flurry

It took a while for the teams to get a feel for one another, their last meeting was Dec. 30, but once they did both the Beauts and Whitecaps began trading chances and both goalies were clearly up to the task. Two minutes after Buffalo killed off the game’s first power play they scored the game’s first goal on a shot from the point by Emily Pfalzer that went through a maze of bodies to find the back of the net at 17:01. On the scoring play, it was rookie forward Annika Zalewski who carried the puck around the back of the net and threaded a pass that Pfalzer could step into and snap the puck towards the net.

WOW WHAT A GOAL! 😱

Amy Menke ties it up, 1-1, by picking the top short corner. #NWHL #IsobelCup pic.twitter.com/5FBtBGZoaD

— The Ice Garden (@TheIceGarden) March 17, 2019

Instead of being stunned or shellshocked the Whitecaps quickly responded and 1:22 later they tied the game when Amy Menke wired a shot top shelf, short side over Hensley’s shoulder. Up until that point, the Beauts defenders were able to stymie and stifle Minnesota’s speedsters but Menke was able to sneak around Pfalzer with her speed on the wing and when she cut towards the net she was all alone.

Defense Wins Championships

In the second and third periods, the teams would each come up empty on three power plays. Buffalo was blocking shots all game long, clogging up shooting lanes and not allowing stars like Kendall Coyne Schofield and Hannah Brandt ample space to create havoc. At the other end Buffalo was never quite able to find rebounds around Leveille’s crease and one of the few times they got a solid chance, Maddie Elia, the league’s leading goal scorer, rang one off the crossbar.

Lee Stecklein

Minnesota Whitecaps defender Lee Stecklein. (Photo Credit: Michelle Jay)

Early in the third-period Beauts blueliner Blake Bolden rang one a shot off the post and minutes later Whitecaps forward Jonna Curtis cleared a loose puck out of the crease before a Buffalo player was able to swoop in and push the puck over the goal line. The Beauts primarily used four defenders throughout the game with Bolden, Pfalzer, Lisa Chesson, and Savannah Harmon all logging heavy minutes against their speedy opponents. Did it wear them down? Maybe, but it’s hard to fault anyone on the Beauts after how valiantly they played.

Caps Win the Cup

The Whitecaps have been around a long time, long enough that they were once in the CWHL and now they are the first team to ever win championships in that league as well as the NWHL. Now they have set the bar enormously high for future expansion teams in the NWHL – starting their season on a five-game winning streak and ending it on a seven-game winning streak.

Amy Menke

Amy Menke of the Minnesota Whitecaps. (Photo Credit: Troy Parla)

McGovern scored the first goal of the season for Minnesota, scored their first game-winning goal in the playoffs on Friday night, and has now assisted on the Cup-winning goal which will be on highlight reels until the end of time. After a slow start to the season (two points in nine games), Menke finished it on fire. She had ten points (3g-7a) over their last eight games including a goal and an assist in the playoffs. 

3 Stars of the Game:

1) Lee Stecklein (Minnesota): Cup-winning goal, assist

2) Amanda Leveille (Minnesota): 22 saves, win

3) Nicole Hensley (Buffalo): 29 saves, overtime loss

  • Tags
  • Amanda Leveille
  • Lee Stecklein
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 20th 3:15 PM
Column

Red Wings Wednesday Weekly: Hockey is Back Everyone!

Jan 20th 2:35 PM
Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Seeing Hot Starts From Some but Serious Concerns Linger

Jan 20th 2:20 PM
NHL Entry Draft

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini’s Top 75 Rankings

Jan 20th 1:50 PM
Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers’ Goaltending & Defense Among Standouts Through Week 1

Jan 20th 1:37 PM
Archives

Jets’ 5 Greatest U.S.-born Players

Jan 20th 1:15 PM
Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers Bounce Back Against Sabres but Lineup Questions Remain

Jan 20th 1:05 PM
Buffalo Sabres

Sabres Broadcaster Rob Ray Makes Light of Potential Brain Injury

Jan 20th 12:55 PM
Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche Power Play Sets Tone Again in 3-2 Victory Over Kings

Jan 20th 12:45 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

NHL Rumors: Oilers, Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Stars, Panthers, More

Jan 20th 12:37 PM
Archives

3 Best Trades in Senators History

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information