Pittsburgh, PA — The second-ranked Elmira College women’s ice hockey team continued to roll through ECAC West play on Friday evening, pushing its conference record to 9-0-0 with a 4-1 victory over Chatham University.
The Soaring Eagles looked out of sorts with the rare Friday evening start during the opening 20 minutes of play. EC struggled to generate much in terms of scoring chances throughout the period. Although the Cougars had similar troubles establishing zone time, it was the home side that got on the scoreboard first. Kristina Block pumped in a late goal at 17:42 of the opening period, pushing Chatham to a 1-0 lead at the first intermission.
The early deficit seemed to jar Elmira to life, as the visitors looked much stronger in the middle period. The Soaring Eagles fired 22 shots on goal in the frame, compared to just six in the opening 20 minutes of play. EC finally translated the heavy shot volume into some goals midway through the period, scoring twice over a 43-second span to take control of the game.
Maddy Jerolman ’19 got the Soaring Eagles on the board at 7:43 of the period, sending home a goal after receiving a feed from Phoebe Piku ’16. Johanna Eidensten ’16 snapped a long goalless drought of her own when she found the back of the net on the ensuing shift. Shannon Strawinski ’19 and Olivia Nystrom ’16 picked up helpers on the second tally.
The second period helper was just the beginning of Nystrom’s big day, as the Elmira senior added two goals in the final period to help the Soaring Eagles to the comfortable victory. She sent home her first of the frame at 4:30 of the frame, while she added an insurance goal at 17:01 to put the game out of reach.
In His Own Words…
Head Coach Dean Jackson ’03 on his team’s performance…
“We were happy with the team’s performance this evening. We certainly did not start the game the way we had hoped. However, the team really got it together and finished strong.”
Jackson on his message to the team during the first intermission…
“It was a very simple message during the first intermission, in that we will let the first 20 minutes go by the wayside. We shook the bus legs out in the first period and focused on getting back to our brand of hockey.”
Jackson on Jerolman’s goal…
“It was a timely goal. It got the monkey off our back and definitely gave our team life. She has provided us energy all season.”
Jackson on Nystrom’s performance…
“Olivia has been playing very strong and consistent hockey for us all season long. As a veteran, she has seen pretty much every situation during her career. We expected her to lead this team and she is doing an excellent job in that role.”
Turning Point
Trailing 1-0 against the Cougars almost midway through the contest, Elmira was in desperate need of a spark. The Soaring Eagles got just what the doctor ordered, sending home two goals on back-to-back shifts over a 43-second span, as Jerolman and Eidensten lifted the Soaring Eagles to a lead they would not relinquish.
Inside the Box Score
Elmira held a decisive 53-to-14 edge over Chatham in shots.
After firing just six shots on goal during the first 20 minutes, the Soaring Eagles launched 47 shots on goal over the final two periods.
Elmira went 0-for-3 on the power play, while Chatham was 0-for-2 with the advantage.
Elmira dominated the faceoff dot, winning 31-of-45 draws on the night. Lousia Lippiatt Durnell ’18 went 9-for-14, while Eidensten continued her excellent work on puck drops with an 8-for-11 mark.
Kristin Chivers ’19 led all players with six shots on goal, while Nystrom and Eidensten each added five apiece.
Nystrom finished with a game-high three points on two goals and one assist.
Strawinski posted two assists, while McKenna Farole ’16, Chivers and Piku each added an assist.
Kelcey Crawford ’18 got the starting nod for the Soaring Eagles, stopping 13-of-14 shots.
Chatham’s Sydney Isbell finished with 49 saves in an admirable effort.
News and Notes
With the victory, Elmira maintains its spotless record over Chatham moving to 27-0-0 all-time.
The victory stretches Elmira’s unbeaten streak to 15 consecutive games.
Kristin Block’s first period goal was the first goal Chatham has scored on Elmira dating back to the 2012-13 season, snapping a five-game shutout streak for the Soaring Eagles against the Cougars.
Chatham’s first period goal marked the first Elmira has trailed in a game dating back to November 22nd in a 2-1 victory over Utica College, a streak of nine consecutive games.
Today’s contest was only the third time this season that Elmira trailed at the end of the first period. EC is now 2-1-0 in such situations this season.
Nystrom has now scored a goal in three consecutive games, tallying four total over that stretch.
Farole has now collected a point in three consecutive games after not having any in her previous 12 games played.
Chivers has now registered at least one point in five consecutive games.
Eidensten’s second period goal snapped a 13-game goalless drought for the EC senior.
The contest marked the eighth time this season in which Crawford has allowed one goal or less.
Up Next
Elmira concludes the two-game set with Chatham tomorrow afternoon with puck drop slated for 3:00 p.m. at the Alpha Ice Complex.
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