Syracuse University
13-15-6, 7-6-3CHA
Niagara
11-16-5, 8-6-2CHA
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niagara | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Syracuse | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
2/26/2011 5:24:00 PM | Ice Hockey
Syracuse 4, Niagara 2 l Photo Gallery
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse's (13-15-6, 7-6-3) three seniors finished the regular-season in winning fashion as the Orange skated past Niagara (11-16-5, 8-6-2), 4-2, on Saturday at Tennity Ice Pavilion. SU earned the sweep after defeating the Purples Eagles, 2-1, last night with 2.7 seconds remaining in overtime.
Sophomore Isabel Menard led Syracuse with two goals to record her 12th multiple point scoring game of the season. Senior defender Ashley Cockell notched her eighth multi-point outing with a goal and an assist. Sophomore Holly Carrie-Mattimoe matched Cockell's performance with a goal and a helper.
Syracuse's offense dominated the first period, outshooting Niagara 10-0, but could not manage a score and the first period seemed it was going to end in a 0-0 stalemate. As time was running out on an SU power-play, Menard fired a shot that nicked the bottom of the crossbar and went in with just seven seconds remaining. Freshman goaltender Kallie Billadeau did not have to stop a puck in the first 20 minutes of play.
The tides turned in the second period as Niagara tallied a pair of goals, including one man-up score. The Purples held a 16-9 advantage in shots and led 2-1 heading in to the second intermission.
The Orange regrouped in the locker room and took the game over in the final period. On a Syracuse power-play, Cockell advanced the puck to Carrie-Mattimoe whose shot sailed just inside the post to even the score, 2-2.
Less than two minutes later, Cockell tallied what proved to be the game-winning goal at the 10:40 mark. Menard played the puck into the middle and freshman Margot Scharfe tipped it to the right side where Cockell knocked it into an open net.
With 7:33 remaining in regulation, the Orange tallied its fourth goal to put the game out of reach for Niagara. Carrie-Mattimoe and Scharfe played the puck out from behind the net to Menard who beat Purple Eagle goalie Jenni Bauer.
Billadeau finished with 21 saves in her second win of the weekend.
Syracuse outshot Niagara 35-23, including a 16-7 advantage in the third period to overcome the 2-1 deficit. Menard helped the Orange win the battle in the faceoff circle, 26-19, gaining possession of the puck for SU on 13-of-18 attempts.
Syracuse will face Niagara again on March 4 in the semifinal round of the CHA Tournament at Tennity Ice Pavilion at 7 p.m. Visit SUathletics.com for details and full coverage of the tournament.
