Princeton, NJ. - The Mercyhurst Women's Ice Hockey team traveled to #14 Princeton for a non-conference matchup with the Tigers. A comeback attempt late in the third period by the Lakers wasn't enough as the Tigers took game one of the series 4-3.
How it Happened
The Lakers went on the power-play just 2:11 into the first period. The Lakers were able to put shots on goal but couldn't get anything to go and the Tigers would kill off the penalty. A few minutes later it was the Tigers' turn to go on the power-play. The Lakers were able to kill off the penalty and get back to even strength. Coming off the penalty kill, Thea Johansson, Chantal Ste-Croix, Olivia Cvar, and Henlee Mahoney all put shots on goal within seconds of each other. At the 17:56 mark of the first period, the Tigers struck first as Jane Kuehl scored for the Tigers to make it 1-0. The period ended and the Tigers held a 1-0 lead.
The Lakers came out in the second period firing shots, putting three on goal right off the opening face-off of the period. Just 48 seconds into the second period, the Tigers added on. Stefanie Wallace scored to make it 2-0 in favor of the Tigers. After a blocked shot by Mary Sweetapple, they took the puck down the ice and Sara Boucher was able to get the Lakers on the board and make it 2-1. The Lakers defense late in the period kept the Tigers from adding on. Sydney Pedersen and Olivia Cvar were blocking shots, and Ena Nystrøm was making timely saves to keep the score where it was.
At the 6:25 mark of the third period, the Tigers extended their lead on a goal by Emerson O'Leary. It was now 3-1 Tigers. The Lakers didn't go away, they kept putting shots on goal until they finally got one to go. The Lakers went on the power-play, and it presented an opportunity to strike, and Olivia Cvar did. Cvar found the back of the net to cut the score to 3-2. Not even a minute later, the Tigers extended their lead back to two goals on Stefanie Wallace's second of the game. The Lakers pulled the goaltender late in the game to get an extra skater on the ice. With the extra skater out there, the Lakers were able to get a goal as Sofia Nuutinen got the timely goal for the Lakers. The comeback effort wasn't enough, and the Tigers took game one 4-3.
Highlights
Olivia Cvar had an impressive night, totaling three points (1 goal, 2 assists).
Sara Boucher finished the night with two points (1 goal, 1 assist).
Vanessa Upson finished with two assists, bringing her season total to six.
Sydney Pedersen tallied her team leading 13th assist of the season and extends her point streak to three games.
Sofia Nuutinen scored her fourth goal of the season late in the third period.
Ena Nystrøm stopped 32 shots in the game, including 13 in the third period. With her 32 saves, Nystrøm became the 16th goaltender in CHA history to reach 2,000 career saves.
Scoring Summary
P2 | 5:52 | Sara Boucher from Vanessa Upson and Olivia Cvar
P3 | 15:23 | PP| Olivia Cvar from Vanessa Upson and Sydney Pedersen
P3 | 19:35 | Sofia Nuutinen from Sara Boucher and Olivia Cvar
Next Up
The Lakers will be back in action tomorrow afternoon as they take on #14 Princeton for game two of the weekend series. Puck-drop is set for 1 PM.
