Orange Sweep RIT to Clinch First Round Bye in CHA

Saturday, February 18

Syracuse, NY

3 p.m.

Syracuse University

13-12-5, 12-4-2

RIT

6-24-2,4-12-2

RIT

Syracuse

Orange Sweep RIT to Clinch First Round Bye in CHA

2/18/2017 7:11:00 PM | Ice Hockey

Box Score Cuse TV: Senior Day Ceremony Photo Gallery

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – As time expired in Saturday afternoon's game between Syracuse and Rochester Institute of Technology, the Orange had many reasons to celebrate. First, they had won on Senior Day, giving the seniors one last victory at Tennity Ice Pavilion. Syracuse also clinched a first round bye in the College Hockey America tournament with the 2-0 win and goaltender Abbey Miller broke the single-season Orange record for most shutouts with seven.

Syracuse (13-12-5, 12-4-2 CHA) received its first goal fittingly from senior Jessica Sibley in the first period. Sibley was able to get the goal after Heather Schwarz's shot bounced off the RIT goaltender. It was the third goal in as many games for the senior.

After a scoreless second period, Stephanie Grossi iced the win for the Orange with a goal with 6:44 left in the game, scoring the final goal of the game.

It was the eighth shutout of the season for Syracuse, tying the program high set in the 2012-13 season. Miller now has seven total shutouts on the season, setting a new Syracuse single-season record and is one shy of the career record (eight reached by Kallie Billadeau and Jenesica Drinkwater).

Offensively, Syracuse was the more dominant team, registering 34 shots to RIT's eight. The Orange killed off six Tiger power play opportunities in the game and won the faceoff battle, 34-23.

With the win, the Orange now has 26 conference points, two points behind first-place Robert Morris and seven points ahead of third-place Mercyhurst. With only two games remaining in the regular season, the Lakers would not be able to tie or surpass Syracuse, guaranteeing the Orange at least a second place finish in the CHA. First and second place teams receive a first round bye in the CHA tournament.

Syracuse will close out the regular season at Penn State on Feb. 24 and 25. The Orange swept Penn State earlier this season at home, 3-1 and 4-1.

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