D'Oench and Trivigno Score in upset over Russia

ZLIN, Czech Republic -- Haley Skarupa (Rockville, Md.) scored twice in the first period and again in the third period to lead the U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team to an 8-0 victory over Russia in its first preliminary-round game of the 2012 IIHF Women's World U18 Championship.

"I thought we played very well," said Heather Linstad, head coach of the U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team. "We started to share the puck and we skated well. We did a lot of good little things today."

Skarupa put the U.S. on the board at 9:48 of the first period when she potted a rebound from an Alex Carpenter (North Reading, Mass.) shot. Skarupa connected on her second goal, on the power play, at 17:53, with a shot from the slot that beat Russian goaltender Margarita Monakhova low.

Miye D'Oench (New York, N.Y.) gave Team USA a three-goal lead at 12:51 of the second period with a shot in front of the net. Dana Trivigno (Setauket, N.Y.) tapped in Sydney Daniels' (Southwick, Mass.) shot that rebounded off the back boards for Team USA's second power-play goal of the game. Daniels earned an assist on both second period goals.

Trivigno connected for her second tally of the night after MaryAnne Kennedy-Menefee (Lansing, Mich.) found her open at 5:55 of the third period. Paige Savage (Carrollton, Tex.) lit the lamp with a high wristshot at 12:48 to increase the U.S. lead to 6-0. Skarupa tapped in her third goal of the night at 13:18 with help from Carpenter, who also picked up an an assist on Savage's goal 30 seconds earlier. Daniels beat Monakhova stick side with 14 seconds remaining in the game to secure the 8-0 win for Team USA.

Sidney Peters (Geneva, Ill.) stopped all 13 shots to earn the shutout in the U.S. victory, while Monakhova made 63 saves for Russia.

Team USA will play its second preliminary-round game of the 2012 IIHF Women's World U18 Championship tomorrow (Jan. 1) against Sweden at 1 p.m. EST.

Olympian Ruggiero Retires

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Angela Ruggiero, a four-time Olympian and one of the greatest women's ice hockey players in history, officially announced her retirement from the U.S. Women's National Team Program today.

She competed 16 years for the United States and has played more games (256) in a Team USA uniform than any other ice hockey player in the country's history. In total, she finished her career with the U.S. Women's National Team Program having recorded 208 points, including 67 goals and 141 assists.

"I feel honored and privileged to have represented the USA program over the past 16 years," said Ruggiero, who is a native of Simi Valley, Calif., but also spent time growing up in Harper Woods, Mich. "USA Hockey will always be a part of me and I will cherish the experiences and memories with this team. Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way. I am now looking forward to my next career, as well as continuing my work representing the athletes of the world through my roles on the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee."

Ruggiero, 31, a star player on all four U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Teams to date, won a gold medal in 1998 as the youngest member (18 years old) of the team; a silver medal in 2002 where she was named the tournament's top defenseman; a bronze medal in 2006 where she tied for the lead among tournament defensemen with six points (2-4) and was named the tournament's top defenseman for a second time; and another silver medal at the 2010 Olympics where she was named to the media all-star team.

Ruggiero, who was the top-ranked female hockey player in the world by The Hockey News in 2003, represented Team USA in 10 IIHF Women's World Championships (gold-2005, 2008-09, 2011; silver-1997, 1999-01, 2004, 2007). In 2005, she scored the shootout goal that gave Team USA its first-ever gold medal in the IIHF Women's World Championship. She was named the tournament's top defenseman four times (2001, 2004-05, 2008) and earned a spot on the media all-star team on four occasions (2004-05, 2007, 2009).

USA Hockey's Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004, Ruggiero graduated cum laude from Harvard University in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in government. She was an NCAA First Team Academic All-American in 2004 and also earned the NCAA's Top VIII Award that year as one of the top eight student-athletes in the entire NCAA. ESPN.com also named her one of the top-16 female athletes in the world in 2004.

Ruggiero accumulated 253 points (96-157) in her four-year career (1998-2000/2002-04) at Harvard to rank sixth all-time at the University and first among defensemen. The four-time NCAA All-American captured the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award in 2004, an honor bestowed annually on the top player in NCAA Division I women's ice hockey. Ruggiero was a finalist for the honor in each of her four collegiate campaigns.

Ruggiero made history on Jan. 28, 2005, when she and her brother, Bill, competed for the Central Hockey League's Tulsa Oilers, becoming the first-ever brother-sister tandem to play in a professional hockey game in North America. In that contest, she also became the first female non-goalie to play in a professional hockey game in North America.

Off the ice, Ruggerio, who earned a master's degree in sport management from the University of Minnesota in January 2011, has inspired the same leadership she created on the ice. The United States Olympic Committee board member was elected (eight-year term) to a highly regarded position as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athlete's Commission in 2010. The commission serves as a consultative body and is the link between active athletes and the International Olympic Committee. She was later appointed to the IOC Evaluation Commission to examine potential host cities for the 2018 Olympic Games and is currently a member of the IOC's Coordination Commission for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, and the IOC Entourage Commission.

In addition, Ruggiero is the founder of the All American Girls' Hockey School; the author of "Breaking the Ice," her inspirational autobiography; and the former director of the New York Islanders' Project Hope - an organization that provides young Chinese athletes with access to educational opportunities. In 2007, she appeared in the sixth season of Donald Trump's "The Apprentice" on NBC. Her charitable efforts are far-reaching and include involvement with the ProSports MVP Olympic Heroes Tour, Right to Play, and momsteam.com.

(Press Release and Photos supplied by USA Hockey)

Team Wanted for Weekend Tourney

ONE MORE TEAM SPOT LEFT!!! Lakeshore Hockey Arena is hosting a New Year's Adult Hockey Tournament from Friday 12/30 to Sunday 1/1. Team cost is $790.00. Four game guarantee. Four championship divisions. 15-minute periods plus overtime in all games. Great prizes, beer specials, and giveaways all weekend long. Game time will no interfere with New Year's Eve/Day festivities. For more information, please contact Mark Loj at mloj.lsha@gmail.com or call (585)865-2800 x202 for more information

Happy Hockey New Year

A very Happy New Year to everyone and hopes for a very successful hockey season as we move toward the second half of the season for almost everyone.

If you haven't checked out the December issue of Hockey New York State yet, please do it now. Also send your stories on your team's activities over the holidays. The January issue is scheduled to be posted late next week. So you still have time.

And for all those youth player in Central, North and East, we are still taking entries for a giveaway. We are giving away copies of "The Puck Hog" autographed by the author. Send your entry with name, email address, team name and section to janetrandy@aol.com before December 31.

Also in this month's issue of Hockey NYS we are looking for the boys and girls to dress their snowman on the Kids Page in their favorite team's colors. We will select several for publication in the next issue. They can be send as pdf's to janetrandy@aol.com before New Year's Day.

Let us know what you think of our new electronic newsletter!

Benefit Set for Dianne Braunstein

Dianne and David Braunstein have been involved with youth hockey for many years. Dianne was diagnosed with lung cancer and the long road of treatment has begun. She is a very strong person and is fighting the disease at every corner; however, every aspect of her treatment is not covered by insurance. Therefore the hockey community has arranged a benefit in Dianne's honor to help defray some of the costs to the family.

The Benefit will be held January 21 at the Town of Tonawanda Police Club, 1835 Sheridan Drive, Kenmore. Tickets are $25 each.

Donations for raffles and auctions at the event are welcome. Suggested items include gift baskets, event or game tickets, restaurant or local services gift certificates, sports memorabilia, collectibles and cash are welcome.

To make a donation contact Kevin Kerr at 866-6364 or email him at kpkerr@roadrunner.com.

Baskets can be dropped off at the Police Club between the hours of 1 and 3 p.m. on the day of the event, or contact Kevin for a pick-up.

The evening of the event will feature a silent auction, raffle, food, beverages, music and a good time for everyone.

For additional information contact Joe Baudo at 694-0182 or jbaudojr@roadrunner.com or Kevin.

Benefit Set for Dianne Braunstein

Dianne and David Braunstein have been involved with youth hockey for many years. Dianne was diagnosed with lung cancer and the long road of treatment has begun. She is a very strong person and is fighting the disease at every corner; however, every aspect of her treatment is not covered by insurance. Therefore the hockey community has arranged a benefit in Dianne's honor to help defray some of the costs to the family.

The Benefit will be held January 21 at the Town of Tonawanda Police Club, 1835 Sheridan Drive, Kenmore. Tickets are $25 each.

Donations for raffles and auctions at the event are welcome. Suggested items include gift baskets, event or game tickets, restaurant or local services gift certificates, sports memorabilia, collectibles and cash are welcome.

To make a donation contact Kevin Kerr at 866-6364 or email him at kpkerr@roadrunner.com.

Baskets can be dropped off at the Police Club between the hours of 1 and 3 p.m. on the day of the event, or contact Kevin for a pick-up.

The evening of the event will feature a silent auction, raffle, food, beverages, music and a good time for everyone.

For additional information contact Joe Baudo at 694-0182 or jbaudojr@roadrunner.com or Kevin.

ESG Adds Sponsor

The Empire State Games announced Monday that Price Chopper supermarkets will become one of the sponsors of the 2012 games in Lake Placid.

Price Chopper is based in New York's Capital District and has supermarkets in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire.

"Price Chopper is thrilled to support the high level of amateur athleticism here in New York that the Empire State Winter Games represent," said Mona Golub, vice president of public relations, consumer and marketing services.

Price Chopper's commitment to the Games extends beyond the financial with promotional signage appearing in each of the company's New York stores for two weeks prior to the start of the opening ceremonies on February 2. The Company will also prepare pre-recorded in-store announcements to inform shoppers of the events taking place in the Adirondack region. There will also be a Games presence on their webiste with a link to the ESG site.

Corporation and businesses wanting to become an official partner of the 2012 ESWG should go to www.empirestatewintergames.com and click on Sponsorship.

Empire State Games Tryouts Womens Ice Hockey

These are the upcoming dates for women's ice hockey tryouts for the 2012 EmpireState Games: 

Central - Dec 28, 2011 at7:30 to 8:45 pm at the Cicero Twin Rinks, Route 11, Cicero, NY

Hudson Valley - January 8, 15,22, & 29 2012 at10:15 pm at the Brewster Ice Arena, 63 Fields Lame, Brewster, NY
Long Island - Dec 22 and 28 at 7:00pm Chelsea Piers

Western was held earlier in December. For more information go Empire State Games 2012 website.

A Note From A Writer

To all my followers on Hockey NYS, and WNY Hockey, I want you to know that my email account with Yahoo has been hacked twice in ten days. They sent out an email saying I was out of the country and needed dollars. Please--I'm in Western New York, recovering from bronchitis and a back problem, making my Christmas cookies and trying to get ready for the holidays.

So let me apologize for any inconvenience  I caused you and say that I am in the process of setting up a new email account elsewhere. In the meantime you can email janetrandy@aol.com and I'll get your hockey news.

Deadline for the January issue of Hockey New York State is December 30.

Thanks for all your support. We've had great response to our first three issues and go into the New Year with a lot of ideas and energy.

Happy Holidays and have a very Prosperous New Year!

Janet

Buffalo's Minnick Receives ECAC Honors

Buffalo State’s Jeyna Minnick (Rochester/Greece-Arcadia) was named the ECAC West Women’s Hockey Rookie of the Week after scoring four goals during a three games in three days stretch over the weekend.

 

Minnick led the Bengals to a 2-0-1 record. The freshman English education major netted both goals for Buffalo State in a 2-2 tie with Plymouth State, adding a goal in the following day's 3-0 win over the Panthers. She scored another in a 4-3 win over Castleton.  Minnick is second on the Bengals with seven goals through 13 games.

 

Christine Williams (Niagara Falls/Niagara Falls) was also recognized on the weekly honor roll with five points in the three games.  After assisting on both goals of a 2-2 tie against Plymouth State, the senior history major had a goal and an assist in a 3-0 win over the Panthers the following day. Williams then netted the game-winner in a 4-3 win at Castleton.  She leads the team with 12 goals and 17 points.

 

Buffalo State (6-5-2/3-4-1) will take an extended break for the holidays and return to action on Dec. 13 with a non-conference home contest against Trinity.

Silveira named ECAC West Player of the Week

POTSDAM, N.Y.—SUNY Potsdam hockey player Jessica Silveira (Brampton,
Ontario/Brampton Thunder) has been named the ECAC West Player of the Week
for the week ending Dec. 11.

Silveira, a sophomore forward, scored five goals and recorded an assist in
the Bears’ weekend sweep at St. Michael’s on Dec. 9-10. In Friday’s
contest, Silveira broke open a 3-2 contest with a natural hat trick in the
third period as Potsdam captured a 6-2 victory. The sophomore scored two
more third period goals and added an assist to help the Bears pull away
for another 6-2 win on Saturday.

Silveira is currently second on the team with a team-high seven goals and
three assists for 10 points in 11 games. The forward has already matched
her career-high for goals in a season halfway through her sophomore year.

The SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team (4-6-1, 4-6-1 ECAC West) is off until
No. 8 Plattsburgh invades Maxcy Ice Arena at 3 p.m. on Jan. 6.

NY Girls Hockey Notes for December 12

The hockey season is well underway for Girls across New York. With that said, let's share some of what I've heard recently.

First, congratulations to Albany Academy Girls Hockey. This team, in its third year, was named The Times Union Team of the Week after an exciting 3-1 win over Skaneateles. The big news here is that it was their first win in three years with some outstanding play by eight skaters and great goaltending.

Over in Western New York congratulations to Emily Burow who scored 2 goals in a 9-0 win over Monroe at the 16U level. Emily plays for the Amherst Knights.

The Amherst 12U Girls Travel Team defeated Hamburg on Saturday 2-0 in a Great Lakes Girls Hockey League game at the Hamburg Town Arena. Jenna Lukomski had the shutout with goals coming from Ivy Carey andAmanda Gaffney. Amherst is now 4-2 in league play and travels to Niagara Falls Wednesday (Dec. 14) and is home at Northtowns against Rochester on Dec. 17. (Photo above submitted by Bill Wippert showing Goaltender Jenna Lukomski celebrating with Gaffney (88) and Carey (29).

The 10U Buffalo Bisons beat the 12U Tonawanda Lighting 14-0.

The Buffalo Regals 19U team beat the Monroe Lady Eagles 7-1 in Buffalo on Sunday night.

WNY Girls Varsity Ice Hockey is now in its second season of play. With seven teams, and nine schools, participating, the league  is looking toward expansion in the 2012-13 season. In the opening week of play Orchard Park Frontier beat Kenmore 2-1; Amherst/Sweethome over Lancaster 6-1; Monsignor Martin over Orchard Park/Frontier 3-1; Wet Seneca beat Lancaster 5-0; Monsignor Martin over Amherst 3-1; and Kenmore over Williamsville 2-1. Scores have not been reported for the Williamsville and Orchard Park/Frontier game. Standings and other statistics will be posted to HockeyNYS as they become available.

TRINITY WOMEN'S ICE HOCKEY TAKES TOP-RANKED RIT TO THE WIRE IN CLOSE LOSS

Hartford, Conn. - Sophomore forward Kolby McCrea (Wawa, Ontario) scored the 
game-winning goal 9:46 into the third period to lead the visiting Rochester 
Institute of Technology (RIT) Tigers to a 3-2 victory over the Trinity College 
Bantams in women's ice hockey action this afternoon at Williams Rink in the 
Koeppel Community Sports Center.  Trinity, playing its last game of the calendar 
year before a 21-day layoff, drops to 1-6 with its sixth defeat in a row, while 
the top-ranked Tigers remained perfect at 11-0.
            Trinity scored the game's first goal when junior forward Hillary 
McNamara (Milton, Mass.) redirected a shot from just above the left face-off 
circle by freshman defender Samantha Edelson (Northbrook, Ill.) 11:29 into the 
game.  The Tiges tied it at the 17:46 mark of the first frame on a flip by 
freshman forward Melissa Maugeri (Ajax, Ontario) from close on the right side 
that snuck past Trinity sophomore goalie Alexa Pujol (New Canaan, Conn.).  In 
the second period, RIT rookie forward Celeste Brown (Great Falls, Mont.) was 
stymied on one-on-one and a two-on-one opportunities by Pujol before the Tigers 
broke through on a wrist shot from 12 feet in front of the net by sophomore 
forward Eric Zach (Elmire, Ontario) with six minutes left before the second 
intermission.
            The Bantams rallied to tie the contest 1:13 into the final stanza, 
as sophomore forward Emily Kleidon (Oakdale, Minn.) beat Tiger freshman backstop 
Ali Binnington (Oakville, Ontario) with a hard shot while streaking down the 
right wing with assists credited to classmates Macauly Bauer (Sheboygan, Wisc.) 
and Sarah Duncan (Dedham, Mass.).  Both defenses fought power plays moments 
later with each goaltender stopping three shots during the kills.  McCrea 
stuffed in the game-winner on a rebound of her own shot with 10:14 on the clock.  
The Tigers kept possession of the puck in the final minutes to keep Trinity from 
pulling Pujol who finished with 30 saves.  Binnington made nine stops for RIT, 
as the Tigers held a 33-11 advantage in shots on goal.

NU Women Close Out First Part of Season with Loss to Clarkson

The Niagara women's hockey team (7-9-5) closed out its 2011 portion of the schedule with a 1-0 loss against the Clarkson Golden Knights (12-4-4), Sunday afternoon at Dwyer Arena.

The Golden Knights scored a power-play goal in the third period for the game's only tally.  Junior Hailey Wood found teammate Danielle Skirrow who one timed the puck behind freshman goaltender Abby Ryplanski  for her ninth goal of the season.  It was the second time Niagara has been shutout this season.  

"Clarkson is a good team," said head coach Josh Sciba.  "We took penalties at inopportune times and they came up with plays today to capitalize on chances we gave them.  It was a close game and we're happier with the effort today than yesterday.  It just comes down to penalties and little details that we still didn't do at the right times." 

Ryplanski pushed aside 20 Clarkson shots while junior Jessica Hitchcock ended the game with five looks on goal.

The Purple Eagles are back on the ice Friday, Jan. 13 when they face off against No. 6/6 Mercyhurst in a home and home series.  Action begins 7 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Ice Center and ends the following day at Dwyer Arena at 2 p.m.

Buffalo State Women Defeat Castleton

CASTLETON, Vt.—Courtney Carnes (Winslow, ME/Winslow) netted a pair of goals and Buffalo State (6-5-2) skated past host Castleton State (5-5), 4-3, in a non-conference game today at Spartan Arena.

 

Freshman Jeyna Minnick (Rochester/Greece-Arcadia) added her seventh goal of the season and fourth in the last three games, and Christine Williams (Niagara Falls/Niagara Falls) scored the game winner for the Bengals.

 

After falling behind 1-0 just 1:15 into the game, Minnick evened the score just minutes later.  Carnes then netted a pair of goals just 2:12 apart, before the Spartans cut the deficit to 3-2 before the opening 20 minutes expired.  After a scoreless second period, Castleton tied the game at 3-3 55 seconds into the third period, but Williams netted her 12^th with 9:15 remaining in regulation to put the Bengals ahead for good.

 

Castleton held a 33-19 advantage in shots, but Jordan Lee (Colorado Springs, CO/Widefield) made 30 stops to preserve the win for Buffalo State.

 

Buffalo State will take an extended break for the holidays and return to action on Dec. 13 with a non-conference home contest against Trinity.

 

Amherst College Over Oswego 6-0

AMHERST, Mass. - The Oswego State women's ice hockey team allowed four power-play goals in a 6-0 loss against fifth-ranked Amherst College on Saturday night at Orr Rink. 

The Lady Jeffs jumped out to a three-goal lead after the first period on three power-play goals and never looked back, outshooting the Lakers, 40-30. Oswego State committed a total of nine penalties for 18 penalty minutes and Amherst capitalized on four of its opportunities. 

Oswego State had a 5-on-3 power play opportunity for 1:05, but was unable to capitalize on the two-skater advantage. After killing off both Amherst penalties, the Lady Jeffs found themselves on the right side of the 5-on-3 power play for over 1:30. Amherst capitalized, as Ashley Salerno scored the game's first goal at 5:40 of the first period. Ellen Swiontkowski was credited with the assist.

Swiontkowski scored the team's second power-play goal of the game at 12:21 of the first period. Following a body-checking penalty, Swiontkowski received a pass from Josie Fisher and beat Oswego State goaltender Catherine Cote (So., Val D'Or, Quebec). Geneva Lloyd was credited with the secondary assist. 

Stephanie Clegg capped off the first period with the team's third power-play goal of the period at 15:52. Swiontkowski and Lloyd earned their second assist of the game on Clegg's first goal of the game. 

Cote was replaced by Bridget Smith (Fr., Hamburg, N.Y.) with 2:17 remaining in the first period. Smith finished the game in net for the Lakers. Cote finished with 10 saves on 13 shots faced.

The Lakers stayed out of the penalty box in the second period, but allowed a fourth goal to the Lady Jeffs at 7:26 of the period. Erin Babineau scored her third goal of the season and Lloyd registered her third assist of the game. Avery Stone earned the secondary assist on the play.

The Lady Jeffs struck twice in the third period, including their fourth power-play goal of the game. Megan Doyer scored the team's fifth goal of the game at 8:28 of the third period with assists credited to Kaitlyn McInnis and Hayley Opperman. 

Emily Vitale capped off the scoring for Amherst on the power play after an Oswego State interference penalty. 

Amherst goaltender Kerri Stuart finished with 30 saves to earn the shutout in net for the Lady Jeffs. Smith finished with 24 saves in 42:17 played.

The Lakers fell to 5-5-0 overall and the Lady Jeffs improved to 6-1-0 overall. 

Oswego State returns to action on Friday, January 13, when it travels to play at Chatham at 8 p.m. in ECAC West action.

NU Women Drop to Clarkson

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara women's hockey team (7-8-5) could not battle back from two third period goals and dropped a 3-1 decision to the Clarkson Golden Knights (11-4-4) Saturday evening at Dwyer Arena. 

"We had some spurts of good things against," said head coach Josh Sciba.  "Abby played well, but its time for some kids to elevate their game.  Clarkson is a good team with some talented players, but we allowed them to do a lot of things we didn't set out to do before the game.  That was the difference in the game."  

Sophomore Jessica Hitchcock would tally Niagara's only goal of the game on the man-advantage.  With a little more than five minutes left in the second stanza  Jenna Hendrikx found Hitchcock who fired one over the shoulder of Clarkson goalie Erica Howe.  The goal was the sophomore's 10th of the season.    

"Tomorrow we need to stay out of the box," added Sciba.  "We have to be better on our own powerplay and we just have to come out ready to work.  We got outworked today and that's the result of the game."  

The Golden Knights got on the board first 14:34 into the opening period.  The initial shot by Jennifer Shields was saved by starting goalie Abby Ryplanski, but senior Juna Baribeau was on the doorstep to tap in the rebound.  The Purple Eagles outshot Clarkson 9-8.  

Danielle Skirrow gave the Golden Knights their second lead of the game 5:23 into the final period on the powerplay for her eighth of the season.  Carly Mercer added one more tally on the man-advantage to secure the 3-1 victory for Clarkson. 

Ryplanski finished the game with 24 saves.  

Potsdam Wins Weekend Contests

COLCHESTER, Vt.—Sophomore forwards Jessica Silveira (Brampton,
Ontario/Brampton Thunder) and Jenn Crawford (Burlington, Ontario/Stony
Creek Sabres) each scored twice as the SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team
(4-6-1) defeated St. Michael’s College (0-9-1) 6-2 for the second day in a
row. Junior goaltender Jen Conophy (Glenmont, N.Y./Albany Ice Cats) made
34 saves for the win.

Crawford got the only goal of the first period on the power play at the
10:43 mark. Senior captain Annmarie Lewis (Newmarket, Ontario/Aurora
Panthers) and freshman forward Izzy Fayerman (Calgary, Alberta/The Edge)
each assisted on the goal.

The Purple Knights evened the score on the man advantage at 9:56 of the
second period with a marker from Darah Thomas. Senior assistant captain
Caitlin Manahan (St. Alban’s, Vt./Elmira College) gave the Bears the lead
for good two minutes later on assists from Silveira and senior captain
Brandi Atwell (Cornwall, Ontario/Cornwall Typhoons). Lewis set up Crawford
for the eventual game-winner with 1:09 left in the period.

Just 34 seconds into the final period, Madelena Santore brought St.
Michael’s back to within 3-2, but that would be as close as the Purple
Knights would get. Silveira scored the next two straight at 3:50 and 7:37
to open up a 5-2 Potsdam lead. Junior forward Katie Komsa (Sault Ste.
Marie, Ontario/Sault Ste. Marie AA Midget) closed the scoring with 1:31
left.

The Bears outshot St. Michael’s 41-36 and finished 2-2 on the power play.

Potsdam is off until Jan. 6, 2012, when the Bears host North Country rival
Plattsburgh at 3 p.m.

Utica Over Cortland 5-0

Five different players scored goals as the Utica women's ice hockey team skated to a 5-0 win versus Cortland Saturday afternoon in ECAC West action. The Red Dragons fell to 2-5-1 overall and 0-5-1 in the conference, while the Pioneers improved to 6-6 and 3-5.

Freshman goalie Katie Avery (Lewiston, ME/UMass Amherst Club) made 25 saves for Cortland in her first complete collegiate game. Jennifer Hamel stopped 13 shots for the Pioneers to earn the shutout. Megan Myers and Nicole Kieffer led Utica with one goal and one assist each. Meghan McMahon, Meghan Willet and Kelsey Dowdall each recorded a goal and six other players collected one assist apiece.

Utica took a 2-0 lead after the first 20 minutes on a power-play goal from McMahon at seven minutes, 13 seconds and an even-strength score by Myers at 15:12. Willet and Dowdall scored goals at 8:13 and 16:56, respectively, in the second period to push the lead to 4-0. Kieffer finished the scoring with a power-play goal at 7:11 of the third period.

Utica 5, Cortland 0

Score by periods:

Cortland  0-0-0  0
Utica        2-2-1  1

Scoring Summary (Goals-Assists):
Cortland: no scoring
Utica: Nicole Kieffer 1-1, Megan Myers 1-1, Megan McMahon 1-0, Meghan Willet 1-0, Kelsey Dowdall 1-0, Nicole Schwartz 0-1, MacKenzie Roy 0-1, Louise Steele-Norton 0-1, Courtney May 0-1, Brittany DelleChiaie 0-1, Vanessa Maines 0-1

Saves: Katie Avery (Cortland) 25 saves (5 GA in 60:00); Jennifer Hamel (Utica) 13 saves (0 GA in 60:00)
Shots on goal: Utica 30 (12-7-11), Cortland 13 (5-7-1)
Penalties: Cortland 9-18:00, Utica 8-16:00
Power Play: Utica 2-6, Cortland 0-5
Records after game: Cortland (Red Dragons) 2-5-1, 0-5-1 ECAC West; Utica (Pioneers) 6-6, 3-5 ECAC West

Buffalo State Beats Plymouth

Christine Williams (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Falls) and Jeyna Minnick (Rochester, NY/Greece-Arcadia) registered a goal and an assist each as Buffalo State (5-5-2) blanked Plymouth State (0-5-3) in a non-conference game this afternoon.

 

Courtney Carnes (Winslow, ME/Winslow) also scored for the Bengals.  Brianna Murphy (Depew, NY/Lancaster), Rio Flynn (Happy Valley, OR/Appleby College (ON)) and Jen Sequin (Hamilton, ON/St. Jean de Brebeuf) chipped in one assist apiece.

 

Buffalo State got on the board, scoring just 40 seconds into the opening frame and added another marker in both the second and third periods.

 

Jordan Lee (Colorado Springs, CO/Widefield) made 16 saves between the pipes for her fifth win of the season. 

Mens Hockey: Utica Defeats Potsdam

A second period goal was the difference as tenth-ranked Utica
(7-3) edged the SUNY Potsdam men’s hockey team (5-5) 1-0 in a
nonconference contest on Friday night. The Pioneers got the game-winner
from Evan Chlanda and a 30-save shutout from Nick Therrien. In one of his
finest performances in a Bears’ jersey, senior goaltender Kevin McFarland
(St. Louis, Mo./Woodstock Slammers) stopped 42 of 43 shots he faced.

Potsdam was very physical right out of the gate in the first period, but
Utica controlled the much of the action. McFarland made 13 saves in the
opening stanza to keep the Pioneers off the board. The Bears best
offensive opportunity came from the stick of sophomore forward Adam Place
(Scarborough, Ontario/Bowmanville Eagles) with six minutes left in the
period, but Utica’s Nick Therrien foiled him with the blocker.

The Bears misfortunes in the offensive zone continued in the second period
as they were outshot 21-5. Just 2:05 into the period Chlanda struck on
assists from Tim Coffman and Ridge Garbutt.  The Bears got caught in
transition and Utica made the most of the opportunity

Potsdam finally got their offense moving in the third period. They
sustained offensive pressure and challenged Therrien with 17 shots, but
couldn’t solve the Pioneer goalie. With just under eight minutes to go,
Therrien stymied freshman forward Trevor Cope (Swartz Creek, Mich./Atlanta
Jr. Knights) on consecutive attempts. Despite the pressure, Potsdam was
unable to net the equalizer.

The Bears were 0-4 on the power play, but held Utica to 0-5.

Potsdam is done for the academic semester, but returns to action at the
Middlebury Holiday Classic on December 31, at 1p.m. against Southern
Maine.

Union Falls to Main

 Despite a late third period goal from sophomore Stefanie Thomson, the Union College women's ice hockey team fell 2-1 in overtime against the University of Maine on Friday. The game-winner came from captain Dawn Sullivan with 2:17 left to play in the extra frame of the non-conference match up. The Dutchwomen move to 3-14-1 and remain at 1-6-1 in the ECAC, while the Black Bears are now 10-7-4 with a 4-5-1 mark in the WHEA.

With only a few minutes remaining the overtime period, Maine forced their way into Union's defensive zone. After a failed attempt to clear the puck, freshman Jennifer More found Sullivan in front of netminder Kate Gallagher. The senior veteran sent a quick shot stick side, beating Gallagher and finding the top left corner of the net. It was More's fourth goal of the season.

The match was defined by extensive neutral zone play, with several battles along the boards and behind the nets. In the first half of the first period, there were only a total of six shots taken by both teams.

Union gained an advantage only 82 seconds into the game when they went on their first power play. Junior Rhianna Kurio had the first great chance, sending the puck into Maine's zone and recovering it for a hard shot on net. Goaltender Brittany Ott made the save, sending the shot off to her right.

At the 10:11 mark, it was the Dutchwomen's turn to kill off a penatly. Maine launched an offensive attack and freshman Brittney Huneke fired a commanding shot from the top of the slot. Gallagher, despite being screened, easily scooped up the puck for the save.

After a scoreless first period, Union came out with an immediate scoring opportunity from junior Jeannie Sabourin. Ott made back-to-back saves as junior Emma Rambo took a shot off of Sabourin's rebound. Immediately after the next face-off, Maine senior Dominique Goutsis flew down the ice to take a shot at Gallagher. The senior was able to cover the puck, and kept it in place as several bodies surrounded her in a scuffle.

With ten minutes left in the second frame, Union took another penalty. However, the Dutchwomen's offense kicked into gear with Rambo driving the puck into Maine's defensive zone. Kurio then went back hand on Ott's right side, but the netminder promptly blocked the shot and sent it wide.

Freshman Bryanne Panchuk, Union's leading point scorer, was a defensive force. While on the penalty kill, she constantly forced the puck outside and deflected a shot in front of the net. Her and Kurio's hustle helped fend off Maine's power play advances.

Special teams would return to the ice, though, as the Dutchwomen took two consecutive penalties and had a 5-on-3 disadvantage for 17 seconds. Senior Lauren Hoffman and Kurio each blocked a shot, helping keep the Black Bears at bay.

Maine nearly tallied the first goal of the night when senior Danielle Ward had a breakaway on the power play. She made her way to Gallagher and took a high shot glove side, but the netminder batted the puck away. Soon after, Huneke received a feed from junior Brittany Dougherty in front of a seemingly wide open net. Gallagher suddenly slid over from her right to made a solid save and keep the game at 0-0.

Less than seven minutes into the third period, Dougherty stole the puck at the blue line during a Union power play. She raced down the ice and fed sophomore Brianne Kilgour from the left side of the net. Kilgour shot the puck past Gallagher into the right corner of the net, putting Maine up 1-0.

Minutes later, Stefanie Thomson received a pass from senior Lauren Cromartie and crossed into Maine's zone as the rest of the Dutchwomen were mid-line change. The sophomore battled through three Maine defensemen to take a shot from the top of the slot. As Thomson turned to head to the bench, Ott's glove reached up and deflected the puck behind her into the net. The score was tied 1-1 before the line change could be completed.

With regulation coming to an end, Gallagher faced a tough shot by senior Dominique Goutsis. The Dutchwomen regained possession as Hoffman took the puck on a breakaway. The senior made her way around Maine's defense and deked, taking a shot with seconds to go. The puck slid inches past the post as Hoffman was taken down, and the score remained 1-1.

With Maine claiming the win in overtime, Ott earned her seventh win of the season with 19 saves. Gallagher was excellent in the defeat, stopping 40 out of 42 shots.

Union produced a massive defensive effort, working hard along the boards and constantly poke checking throughout the match. The Dutchwomen collectively had 15 blocked shots, four coming from senior Chelsey Heinhuis and three from senior Dania Simmonds.

Potsdam Defeats St. Michaels 6-2; Roy has Hat Trick

Sophomore forward Jessica Silveira (Brampton,
Ontario/Brampton Thunder) scored the final three goals to lead the SUNY
Potsdam women’s hockey team (3-6-1) to a 6-2 victory over St. Michael’s
College (0-8-1). Senior defenseman Breanna Roy (Orleans, Ontario/Nepean
Wildcats) also had a three-point night for the Bears with a goal and two
assists.

Roy set up freshman forward Alexandra Holowka (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Balmoral
Hall) at the 13:36 mark of the first period to give Potsdam a 1-0 lead.
Madelena Santore evened the score with just eight seconds left in the
period.

The Purple Knights grabbed a 2-1 lead on a power-play goal just 43 seconds
into the second period. At 11:30, senior captain Annmarie Lewis
(Newmarket, Ontario/Aurora Panthers) tied the game on another Roy assist.
Roy got the eventual game-winner at the 13:02 mark on assists from
freshman forward Izzy Fayerman (Calgary, Alberta/The Edge) and sophomore
forward Jenn Crawford (Burlington, Ontario/Stony Creek Sabres). Silveira
took it from there. She got her first just over a minute later on an
assist from senior captain Brandi Atwell (Cornwall, Ontario/Cornwall
Typhoons) and Potsdam led 4-2 at the second intermission.

After an even third period, Silveira added empty-net goals at 19:22 and
19:39 to cap the 6-2 victory.

Junior goaltender Jen Conophy (Glenmont, N.Y./Albany Ice Cats) made 26
saves to seal the win. St. Michael’s goalie Erin Stevens finished with 25
saves.

Bears Head Coach Jay Green was pleased with the performance.

“It was nice effort overall,” said Green. “We had a shaky start, but we
settled down and played pretty solid in the second and third periods.
Breanna Roy, Annmarie Lewis and Jessica Silveira played very well.