Top-ranked Plattsburgh State (3-0, 1-0 ECAC West) scored four third period goals to capture an 8-0 victory over the SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team (1-1, 0-1) on Tuesdaynight at Maxcy Ice Arena. Junior forward Shannon Stewart (Pickering, Ontario/Durham West Lightning) led the Cardinals with four goals, while senior defenseman Allison Era (Glendale, Ariz./LA Selects U-19) had a hat trick and an assist.
The Cardinals put intense pressure on Potsdam’s defense and sophomore goalie Alexane Rodrigue (Monkland, Ontario/Bemidji State) from the first faceoff. The Bears goaltender stopped shot after shot until the Cardinals broke through at the 11:07 mark. Stewart scored her first scored with an assist from junior forward Emma Rutherford (Ottawa, Ontario/North American Hockey Academy). Just 2:41 later, Era struck on Plattsburgh’s first power play of the contest to make it 2-0. Sophomore defenseman Bridget Balisy (Brampton, Ontario/Brampton Junior Thunder) recorded the assist. Rodrigue kept Plattsburgh off the board for the rest of the period, finishing with 20 saves.
The Cardinals didn’t let up in the second. Stewart added a power-play goal at 4:44 with helpers from Era and Balisy. Less than two minutes later Stewart completed her hat trick with an even strength tally on assists from Rutherford and sophomore defenseman Caitlin Gilligan (Burlington, Ontario/Oakville Hornets). Rodrigue added another 19 saves to her total in the second period.
Era notched her second score of the game just 36 seconds into the third period. Freshman defenseman Julia Duquette (North Tonawanda, N.Y./Buffalo Bison U-19) and senior forward Jenny Kistner (Peoria, Ill./University of Maine) assisted on the goal. Era buried her third goal at 14:29 on assists from freshman forward Jordan Lipson (Davis, Calif./Pomfret Prep) and Duquette. Senior forward Ali Vakos (Hamden, Conn./UConn) made it 7-0 at 16:29with an assist from senior forward Jordan Caldwell (Denver, Colo./Colorado Selects U-19). Stewart then capped the scoring with 40 seconds on the clock with help from Lipson.
Rodrigue finished with a career-high 49 saves on a tough night. Plattsburgh senior goalie Sydney Aveson (West Covina, Calif./Minnesota State) made 11 saves to record her third straight shutout.
The Cardinals were 2-7 on the man advantage and the Bears finished 0-4.
Potsdam looks to bounce back this weekend as they host ECAC West foe Oswego State for two games. The Bears face the Lakers at 3 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
