Elmira, N.Y.—The sixth-ranked Elmira Soaring Eagles (11-4-1, 7-1-1 ECAC West) used a three-goal second period to rally past the SUNY Potsdam women's hockey team in an ECAC West contest Friday night. Freshman forward
Emma Smetaniuk (Frankford, Ontario/Whitby Wolves) scored two power-play goals to lead the Bears.
In the first period Potsdam special teams made an impact as the Bears scored on their first two power plays. Less than three minutes into the contest, Potsdam took advantage of an Elmira penalty to jump out to a 1-0 lead. Sophomore forward
Katie Komsa (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario/Sault Ste. Marie AA Midget) set up Smetaniuk at the 2:24 mark. The Soaring Eagles answered with goals from Briana Saltstone and Amber Tirri to grab their first lead 8:44 into the game. Two minutes later Smetaniuk struck for her second power-play marker on assists from junior defenseman
Breanna Roy (Orleans, Ontario/Nepean Wildcats) and Komsa. The score remained tied at two heading into the first intermission.
Elmira used a 10-minute span starting five minutes into the second period to take control of the contest with three goals. Amanda Ritzel scored on the power play to give the Soaring Eagles the lead for good, while Tori Charron and Tirri each netted even strength tallies. There was no scoring in the third period as Elmira went on to the 5-2 victory.
Sophomore goaltender
Jen Conophy (Glenmont, N.Y./Albany Ice Cats) made 44 saves for the Bears, while Lauren Sullivan stopped 26 for the Soaring Eagles. Potsdam went 2-4 on the power play and Elmira was 1-5. The loss ended the Bears five-game unbeaten streak.
“It was a great effort by everyone in the lineup, especially
Emma Smetaniuk and
Jen Conophy,” said Bears Head Coach
Jay Green. “We had a strong first period and if it wasn't for a few costly turnovers in the neutral zone in the second period, it could have been a one-goal game. Elmira is a great team, but I didn't feel we were outclassed or overmatched tonight.”
The Bears (5-8-1, 1-7) finish the season series with the Soaring Eagles tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. in Elmira.
