Boston Pride’s Brianna Decker Scores NWHL’s First-Ever Hat Trick

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Three weeks into the National Women’s Hockey League’s inaugural season, the Boston Pride have yet to lose a game. Thanks to a high-powered offense that’s outscored opponents 15-4, that isn’t likely to change soon.

The Pride returned to the HarborCenter in Buffalo Sunday for a rematch against the winless Beauts. Boston jumped to an early lead with a goal from Olympic silver medalist and Wisconsin product Brianna Decker.

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Buffalo’s Kelley Steadman evened the score at 1-1, but Emily Field and Decker answered, placing the Pride’s lead safely out of reach.

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Though Stedman scored again to bring Buffalo within one, Decker tucked away an empty-netter to snuff out any chance of Beauts comeback, and complete the first hat trick in NWHL history.

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With the Pride’s 4-2 win, Boston and the Connecticut Whale remain the NWHL’s two undefeated teams. They’re scheduled to meet for the first time on November 29.

Forward Hilary Knight scored the first goals in franchise history against the Beauts in the season opener, though she told us earlier this month she wasn’t necessary gunning for the distinction. “Obviously, you don’t go into a game thinking you’re going to make history with a goal and there’s a lot of other things that go into play. And obviously, pretty much a simple a tap-in for me,” Knight said. “When you look back on it in a few years, I think it’ll definitely be one of those memories that I’m happy to be a part of, especially being in our inaugural game.”

The Pride return to action November 15 to take on the New York Riveters in Brooklyn. They play their home-opener at the Harvard Bright-Landry Center in Allston on November 22. A full schedule is available here.