Tom, the stats on the game look pretty indicative of the outcome. The stats that jump out at me are Megan Taylors low save %, Rainone’s crazy save % (she had a great game), MD’s shots 42 and the number of yellows 8.
Having said that regarding the yellows, both teams are pretty adept in the drama department. I think it was Smucker who used the thumb under her goggles to pull them off as she was trying to draw the charge. FWIW, Whittle is a major drama queen too.
Last thought, it is becoming increasingly clear to me that the game is damn near “un-refable”. There are way too many stoppages, way too many judgment calls and way, way too much variation between refs.
I wouldn’t be surprised if teams start doing analytics on refs before games in order to determine how the game will be called.