Leah Lum Steals the Show as Toronto Six Down Metropolitan Riveters 5-2

Two-Goal Performance Leads Six Past Resilient Riveters Despite Strong First Period

Leah Lum put on a masterclass performance, scoring twice to lead the Toronto Six to a convincing 5-2 victory over the Metropolitan Riveters in what started as a promising night for the home team but ultimately ended in familiar frustration.

Despite a dominant first period that had Head Coach Venla Hovi calling for the team to “replicate what we did in the first period and continue it for a full 60 minutes,” the Riveters (1-2-0) couldn’t maintain their early intensity and fell to the Six (4-1-0-1) in a game that showcased both their potential and their persistent struggles with consistency.

The loss was particularly stinging given the opportunity it represented—a chance to overtake Toronto in the standings with a strong performance in front of an energetic home crowd that included the Little Flyers youth hockey team, whose enthusiastic support echoed throughout the arena from start to finish.

First Period Promise Sets High Expectations

The opening 20 minutes may have been the best hockey the Riveters have played all season, even though it ended in a 1-1 deadlock. Playing with the kind of tenacity and purpose that had been missing in previous outings, the Riveters brought the game to Toronto and controlled large stretches of play.

Toronto’s early struggles were evident immediately, as the Six took multiple penalties in the first five minutes, giving the Riveters’ power play unit extended opportunities to establish rhythm and confidence. While the man-advantage didn’t result in goals, the improved puck movement and offensive flow represented significant progress from earlier performances.

The Riveters’ aggressive forechecking and defensive pressure forced Toronto into uncomfortable situations, leading to turnovers and quality scoring chances. The 14-9 shot advantage told the story of a team that had found its identity and was executing its game plan to perfection.

Lum Opens Scoring, Bujold Responds

The first period’s lone blemish for the Riveters came at the 10:03 mark when Leah Lum capitalized on the team’s first significant defensive breakdown. After a rebound bounced loose in front of the net, Lum displayed excellent positioning and quick hands, skating across the slot and burying the garbage goal over goaltender McQuigge’s blocker.

The goal represented exactly the type of opportunistic scoring that had been missing from the Riveters’ game, but unfortunately, it came from the opposition rather than the home team.

However, the Riveters’ response demonstrated the character and resilience that Hovi has been trying to instill. When Toronto went on the power play at 11:36, Sarah Bujold turned defense into offense with a spectacular individual effort that energized the entire building.

Bujold’s aggressive forechecking paid dividends when she picked Kati Tabin’s pocket in the offensive zone, creating a clean breakaway opportunity. With no defender between her and the goal, Bujold made no mistake, firing a rocket over the blocker that popped the water bottle and sent the crowd into a frenzy.

The shorthanded goal marked the second consecutive game in which the Riveters had scored while down a player, showcasing their improved special teams play and opportunistic mindset.

Second Period Struggles Return

The second period told a different story, as many of the issues that have plagued the Riveters throughout the season resurfaced at the worst possible time. The same mistakes that Hovi had been emphasizing needed improvement became costly once again.

Toronto struck early in the period with a beautifully executed mini-breakaway. Tereza Vanisova’s creativity and skill were on full display as she employed the “Forsberg” move, lowering her shoulder and going in one-handed before sliding the puck through McQuigge’s five-hole. The goal, assisted by Dominika Laskova and Emma Greco, restored Toronto’s lead and shifted momentum back to the visitors.

The Riveters showed their resilience once again when they capitalized on another Toronto penalty. Laskova’s slashing call at 14:50 gave the home team another power-play opportunity, and this time they made it count.

Bujold’s second goal of the game came via a perfectly executed wraparound at 15:17, as she found herself alone on the goal line and stuffed the puck inside the post. The goal, assisted by Fanni-Garat-Gasparics and Kelly Babstock, tied the game at 2-2 and put Bujold in a tie with Toronto’s Brittany Howard for the league lead in both goals and points.

However, the period’s final minutes revealed the team’s ongoing discipline issues. Multiple penalties and increasingly chippy play culminated in post-period altercations that required referee intervention and resulted in matching penalties to start the third period.

The second period highlighted the communication breakdowns and defensive zone coverage issues that have been persistent problems. The team’s struggle with “playing the second puck”—a fundamental defensive concept—continued to create unnecessary scoring chances for opponents.

Third Period Collapse Seals Defeat

The third period began with promise as the Riveters gained a brief two-man advantage, creating nearly 20 seconds of 5-on-3 hockey. Despite excellent puck movement that had Toronto scrambling defensively, the power play unit couldn’t convert the golden opportunity.

That missed chance proved costly as Toronto quickly seized control of the game. Lum’s second goal of the night came via a clever individual effort, using the boards to get past Kendall Cornine before putting a soft backhander on goal. While McQuigge made the initial save, she couldn’t control the rebound, and the puck slowly trickled over the goal line for what would prove to be the game-winner.

The goal seemed to deflate the Riveters while energizing Toronto, and Brittany Howard delivered the dagger just 22 seconds later. Howard’s goal showcased the kind of elite playmaking that makes her one of the league’s most dangerous players, as she converted a behind-the-back pass from Taylor Woods while falling to the ice. The spectacular finish, with a second assist from Lexi Templeman, gave Toronto a commanding 4-2 lead and restored Howard’s sole possession of the league scoring lead.

Emma Woods added the final insult at 14:01, stuffing home a rebound for her first goal of the game. The goal, assisted by Lum and Breanne Wilson-Bennett, gave the Six a 5-2 advantage and effectively ended any hopes of a Riveters comeback.

Bright Spots Amid Disappointment

Despite the disappointing result, there were clear signs of improvement that should provide optimism moving forward. The first period performance demonstrated that this team has the talent and capability to compete with anyone in the league when executing properly.

Sarah Bujold’s two-goal performance showcased her elite scoring ability and competitive drive. Her willingness to create offense through aggressive forechecking and her clinical finishing around the net make her one of the most dangerous players in the PHF.

The power play showed marked improvement in terms of puck movement and offensive zone time, even if the conversion rate didn’t reflect the progress. The ability to generate quality chances consistently is often a precursor to scoring success.

The crowd support, particularly from the Little Flyers youth team, created an electric atmosphere that demonstrated the growing connection between the team and its community. Despite competing with a Giants game next door, the Riveters drew a solid crowd that remained engaged throughout the contest.

Road Trip Challenge Ahead

The loss sets up a challenging stretch for the Riveters, who now embark on their longest road trip of the season—seven games away from home that will test their character and resilience.

The journey begins with a back-to-back series against Montreal, with games scheduled in two different arenas, presenting a unique logistical challenge. The road trip will also include matchups against the Minnesota Whitecaps, another series with Toronto, and a single game against the Connecticut Whales.

For a team still searching for consistency, the extended road trip could either serve as a bonding experience that brings the group together or expose the weaknesses that have prevented them from reaching their potential.

Hovi’s Challenge: Maintaining First Period Intensity

Head Coach Venla Hovi’s post-game comments perfectly encapsulated the team’s central challenge: “We need to replicate what we did in the first period and continue it for a full 60 minutes.”

The Riveters have shown they can play elite-level hockey for extended periods. The first period against Toronto was proof of their capability when everything clicks. The challenge is maintaining that level of intensity, focus, and execution for an entire game.

The small details that Hovi has emphasized continue to be the difference between victory and defeat. Communication breakdowns, defensive zone coverage lapses, and discipline issues have been consistent themes in both losses this season.

Looking Forward: Building on Positives

While the 5-2 loss was disappointing, the Riveters can take several positives into their upcoming road trip. The first period performance provides a template for success, and Bujold’s emergence as an elite scorer gives them a legitimate game-breaker.

The improved power play movement and the team’s ability to respond to adversity (as evidenced by their two comeback goals) demonstrate character and resilience that will serve them well in challenging road environments.

The key will be addressing the consistency issues that have plagued them through three games. When the Riveters play their game—aggressive forechecking, disciplined defense, and opportunistic offense—they can compete with anyone in the league.

The road trip begins in Montreal, where the team will look to build on the first-period performance while eliminating the costly mistakes that have defined their losses. With seven games away from home, there will be plenty of opportunities to find the elusive consistency.

The Riveters return home on Saturday, January 7, 2023, for a prime-time matchup with the Boston Pride. By then, this extended road trip will have revealed whether this team can turn potential into consistent performance.

For now, Leah Lum and the Toronto Six have provided another lesson in the fine margins that separate winning and losing at the professional level. The Riveters have the talent—now they need to find the consistency to match it.