Taylor Girard scored the game-winning goal and added an empty-netter as the Connecticut Whale held on for a 5-3 win over the Toronto Six to open a Premier Hockey League semifinal series.
Girard gave the Whale a 4-1 lead with a short-handed goal 25 seconds into the third period. Two goals from Toronto forward Michela Cava cut the Whale's lead to 4-3, but the Six were unable to find an equalizer.
The Whale lead the best-of-three semifinal 1-0, with the next games scheduled for Saturday and Monday, if necessary, at Toronto's Mattamy Athletic Centre.
Caitrin Lonergan had a goal and an assist while Justine Reyes and Melissa Samoskevich also scored for the Whale. Allie Munroe and Kennedy Marchment added two assists apiece.
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