Syracuse University
14-15-6, 7-6-3CHA
Niagara (No. 2 seed)
11-17-5, 8-6-2CHA
Shutout Advances SU to CHA Championship
3/4/2011 10:30:42 PM | Ice Hockey
Syracuse 1, Niagara 0 l Photo Gallery
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Freshman goaltender Kallie Billadeau recorded her first career shutout at the perfect time as Syracuse (14-15-6) edged No. 2 seed Niagara (11-17-5), 1-0, in the semifinal round of the College Hockey America (CHA) Tournament. The Orange will face top-seeded Mercyhurst in the championship game tomorrow (March 5) at 5 p.m. at Tennity Ice Pavilion.
The Lakers defeated Robert Morris earlier today, 3-1, to earn its spot in the finals.
Today's win marks SU's third victory against Niagara in just eight days, as the Orange swept the Purple Eagles in its final regular-season series. Syracuse has now knocked Niagara out of the tournament in two consecutive seasons. The Orange will meet Mercyhurst in the championship game for the second time in as many years. Last season, SU came up short, 3-1, to the Lakers.
Sophomore forward Isabel Menard scored the game's only goal with 6:44 remaining in the first period. On an Orange power-play, senior Ashley Cockell swung the puck to Menard from her stomach after sprawling flat on the ice. Menard put the puck on net, which was inadvertently deflected into the net by a Niagara defender. Menard was credited with the score on assists from Cockell and freshman Margot Scharfe. Syracuse outshot Niagara 12-2 in the first period and led 1-0 at the first intermission.
Syracuse held a slight advantage in shots throughout the remainder of the game 12-10 in the second period and 8-6 in the third. Both teams were held scoreless for the final 46:44 of the game and the Orange skated away with the 1-0 victory.
Billadeau finished with 18 saves in net for SU to record her seventh win of the season and third consecutive.
Menard helped the Orange hold a commanding 36-16 advantage in faceoffs, winning 15 of her 21 battles in the faceoff circle. Senior Stefanie Marty also won 14-of-22 faceoffs.
Tomorrow's matchup will be streamed live on Orange All-Access (OAA), SU's multimedia package, via SUathletics.com. Subscriptions are $5.95 for a game-day pass. Live stats will also be available at SUathletics.com. Tickets will be available at the Tennity Ice Pavilion box office at $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for students with institutional ID cards and individuals 18 and under.
