The SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team (1-0) raced out to a
3-0 lead in front of an excited crowd at newly renovated Maxcy Ice Arena
and held off Saint Michael’s College (0-1) for 4-3 win on Saturday
afternoon. Senior captain Brittany Lucky (Kanata, Ontario/Ottawa Senators)
recorded three assists to lead the Bears.
Freshman goalie Abby Tardelli (Potsdam, N.Y./North Country Ice Storm)
withstood an early Purple Knights charge and Potsdam’s offense answered at
12:21 of the opening period. Freshman forward Jordan Ott (Hilton,
N.Y./Rochester Edge) fired through a crowd at the right side of the net,
beating Saint Michael’s senior goalie Meaghan Leong (Cohassett,
Mass./Notre Dame Academy) low for a 1-0 lead. Brittany Lucky and senior
forward Jessica Silveira (Brampton, Ontario/Brampton Thunder) each
assisted on the goal. Just 56 seconds later, Silveira found junior captain
Izzy Fayerman (Calgary, Alberta/The Edge) on the right side and Fayerman
wristed it over Leong’s shoulder for a 2-0 lead. The goal marked the end
of Leong’s day. Saint Michael’s outshot the Bears 11-7 in the first
period, but Tardelli’s strong play kept them off the board.
The Purple Knights ramped up the pressure in the second period, but
Tardelli continued to frustrate them. Potsdam senior assistant captain
Amanda Lucky (Kanata, Ontario/Clarkson University) beat freshman goalie
Tina Frasca (Norwood, Mass./Massachusetts Spitfires) at the 11:15 mark for
a 3-0 advantage. Ott and Brittany Lucky notched the assists on the play.
Tardelli’s successful day was done after the goal as she was replaced by
sophomore Alexane Rodrigue (Monkland, Ontario/Bemidji State). Rodrigue was
greeted rudely as Saint Michael’s senior captain Macey Thomas (Amherst,
Mass./Northfield Mount Herman) scored a power-play goal at 16:53. Freshman
defenseman Lauren Cucolino (Glens Mills, Pa./Quakers) and senior captain
Olivia Collins (South Boston, Mass./Boston Latin School) notched the
assists. The Purple Knights outshot the Bears 17-9 in the second, but
trailed 3-1 after 40 minutes.
Saint Michael’s started fast in the third period. Cucolino scored an
even-strength goal 1:33 into the third to cut the lead to 3-2. Potsdam
head coach Jay Green called a timeout to settle his team and they
responded. Sophomore forward Sally Mooney (New Albany, Ohio/Wyoming
Seminary) scored the eventual game winner just 38 seconds later with
Brittany Lucky’s third helper of the contest. Saint Michael’s wasn’t done
as they got within 4-3 on Thomas’ second tally at 4:18. Freshman forward
Erin Dwyer (Weymouth, Mass./Charles River) and sophomore forward Catie
Shea (Smithfield, R.I./Mount Saint Charles Academy) recorded the assists.
Despite more quality chances, Rodrigue shut the door the rest of the way.
Tardelli earned the victory with 20 saves in the first 31:15. Rodrigue
finished with 16 saves in final 28:45. Leong was tagged with the loss with
two goals allowed and four saves in 13:17. Frasca allowed one goal and
made nine saves in the next 26:43. Freshman Abby Burke (Bedford,
Mass./Assabet Valley Patriots) closed out game with a goal allowed in the
last 19:29.
Saint Michael’s was 1-4 on the power play while the Bears finished 0-2.
Potsdam is back in action on Tuesday night when they host No. 2
Plattsburgh State at 7 p.m. to open its ECAC West Schedule.
Photo courtesy Potsdam
