The Buffalo Beauts made a splash today by signing their first overall pick in the NWHL International Draft. Goaltender Lovisa Berndtsson is coming over to this US team at a great time. Berndtsson, who is 32-years-old, stands at a whopping 5’6″, 150lbs. She has been playing in her home country of Sweden since 2003. She has spent most of that time playing with the Djurgardens IF and she has one SDHL championship to her name. Despite being 32, she’s still got it. Last season, she started 22 games and posted a 1.96 GAA, .903 SV%, and a record of 14-8-0. In the playoffs she started 2 games with a 2.56 GAA and a .882 SV%.
The Beauts can really use a goalie like Berndtsson. Last season, they did not make playoffs and the team finished with a 1-4-1 record. Their goals for was just 7 while their goals against was 24. Carly Jackson was killer in her rookie season — 6 games with a 3.59 GAA and .909 SV% — but having someone who can split the net solidly with her is only going to help. I like Caty Flagg but she had a rough season last year — 6 games with a 6.90 GAA and .818 SV%. Ain’t nothing wrong with wanting to add even more talented goalies to the roster. Plus, Berndtsson has played through every situation in the book, she’s known for keeping her cool and being a disciplined goalie – it will be great for Jackson and Flagg to play and learn along side her.
I don’t think this is the end all, be all solution to the Beauts’ struggles but it is definitely a start. Great signing for this team, can’t wait to watch her next season. Here is a great article talking a little more about Lovisa.
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Featured Image: Ronnie Rönnkvist
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