Score: #2 Elmira College 2 – #6 Norwich University 2 (OT)
Records: Elmira (6-0-1), Norwich (6-1-1)
Location: Murray Athletic Center – Pine Valley, N.Y.
PINE VALLEY, N.Y. — In a battle between two of the top ranked teams in the nation, 60 minutes of regulation and another five minutes of overtime could not determine a winner, as No. 2 Elmira College women’s ice hockey and No. 6 Norwich University skated to a 2-2 overtime tie.
Elmira held a 2-0 lead with seven minutes to play in the third period, but the Cadets clawed their way back with a pair of tallies in the final 6:33 of regulation, including the game-tying goal with 30 ticks on the clock, to force overtime. Despite seven shots in the extra session, five for Elmira and two for Norwich, neither team was able to break through for the game winner.
Rachel Grampp ’18 scored the game-opening goal 10:59 into the first period, as her shot from just inside the blue line caromed off of a Norwich skate and past Laurie King for the score. Rookie Kiana Melvin ’20 and third-year forward Meghan Fonfara ’18 were credited with assists on the Grampp goal.
Although no goals were scored in the second stanza, both teams had their fair share of opportunities. A total of five penalties were called in the period, putting both teams’ nationally-ranked power-play units on the ice multiple times; Elmira, who entered the game with the nation’s top-ranked power-play unit, went on the power play advantage three times, while Norwich’s third-ranked power-play unit had two extra-skater chances. Neither was able to capitalize on their opportunities.
Johanna Eidensten ’17 added to the Elmira lead 11:50 into the third period, as she scored her second of the season. The Eidensten goal came as a result of a giant scrum in front of the Norwich cage, one that would see the Swedish national punch-in EC’s second tally of the evening. Shannon Strawinski ’19 and Meg Lahey ’19 picked up assists on the goal.
One minute and 37 seconds passed until Norwich answered with its first goal of the day, as Adelle Murphy knocked in a rebound in the left-side slot for the score. Linnea Odbratt set up the scoring play with a nice wrap-around pass from behind the EC cage to Bryn Labbe, who one-timed a shot in the high slot on target. Elmira’s Kyle Nelson ’17 made one of her 23 saves on the attempt by Labbe, but Murphy was there to clean up the loose puck and cut the Soaring Eagle lead to 2-1.
Still trailing by one goal, Norwich opted to pull its goaltender with 2:03 remaining in the final period. The move looked as though it backfired at the 19:05 mark, when Lahey snapped a high fluttering puck from EC’s defensive zone through the full sheet of ice. With just one Norwich skater to beat, Louisa Lippiatt Durnell ’18 blew past the last Cadet defender, Robyn Foley, and slid the puck into the empty net for the score.
However, an early whistle by the officiating crew blew the play dead for icing, despite Lippiatt Durnell beating everyone to puck. The early whistle took the goal off the scoreboard and set up a faceoff at center ice.
Unfortunately, an unmarked Adrieana Rossini one-timed a shot in the slot past Nelson for the game-tying tally with just 25 seconds later. Rossini’s goal came with the extra attacker and was assisted by Kim Tiberi and Amanda Conway.
The Rossini goal would hold up through the end of the third period, as well as the overtime session, as the Soaring Eagles and Cadets skated to a 2-2 overtime tie.
Turning Point
With Elmira leading by one goal and an empty net on the other side of the ice, it looked as though the Soaring Eagles cushioned their lead with an empty-net tally from Lippiatt Durnell. However, the goal was waved off, setting up the game-tying score by Norwich’s Adrieana Rossini with just 30 ticks remaining in regulation.
Inside the Box Score
Elmira outshot Norwich 37-to-25, including a significant 14-to-3 margin in the opening period.
Neither team was able to generate a power-play goal, as EC finished 0-for-5 and Norwich 0-for-6.
The Cadets were penalized six times for 12 minutes; EC was taxed for 10 minutes on five infractions.
EC edged the Cadets in faceoff victories, 36-to-27.
Granato paced the Soaring Eagles with six shots and 13 faceoff victories, both of which were game highs.
Grampp and Eidensten each tallied once for Elmira.
Melvin and Fonfara assisted on the first EC goal, while Strawinski and Lahey assisted on the latter.
Nelson made 23 saves between the pipes, 12 of which came in the third and overtime periods.
King registered 35 saves for the Cadets, including five during the overtime session.
Norwich’s Murphy and Rossini each scored in the third period to draw the game even.
News and Notes
Elmira’s six-game win streak came to an end with today’s tie.
The Purple and Gold’s seven-game unbeaten streak is EC’s best to start a season since 2014-15.
EC is tied with Endicott for the longest active unbeaten streak in the country at seven games.
Norwich snapped a five-game losing streak at the Murray Athletic Center (0-5-1).
Elmira played its first nationally-ranked opponent of the season.
Elmira remains unbeaten on the young season, 6-0-1.
EC still leads the all-time series against the Cadets, 8-5-2.
Grampp scored her first goal of the season.
Nelson’s 23 saves were a season high.
Up Next
The Soaring Eagles will conclude the 2016 portion of their schedule with a home contest against Trinity College (Conn.) on Saturday, December 10th. The matchup at the MAC is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.
