by Janet Schultz, NYHOL
(Photo is a file photo from last season)
While most collegiate hockey has been postponed or canceled, there are several leagues forging ahead and being successful at it. There are some postponed games due to Covid protocols, but a lot of that has to do with testing and results. Players are being recognized for their efforts, as always; no fans are allowed in but many have “fans in the stands” that are quiet but familiar and in many cases but some funding into the game.
Once, again hockey players, families, coaches, and fans have shown we are one big happy hockey family.
Central
Syracuse had their January 29 and 30 games against Mercyhurst and one on February 2 vs RIT postponed due to Covid 19 Protocols but are scheduled to return to the ice tonight (Feb. 3) against RIT in Rochester at 6 p.m.
Ann Leschyshyn had her first goal of the season in a 2-1 loss to Robert Morris and Hannah Johnson had her first collegiate career goal the following day in a 2-1 loss to Robert Morris.
Syracuse is 2-6-1 overall as of January 30.
Colgate is having a winning season at 10-3-1, no postponed games as of late and play Clarkson this weekend. Tanner Gates was named ECAC Player of the Week for January 25 and Kayle Osborne was named the Adirondack Health Rookie of the Month by the ECAC.
Cortland’s Megan Quinn has signed with the NWHL expansion team, The Toronto 6. She debuted in the NWHL bubble in Lake Placid. Quinn is a second year assistant coach at Cortland and an alumnus of Syracuse University.
Elmira’s Jamie Huntley-Park was named to serve as an on-ice official in the NWHL’s abbreviated 2020-21 season in Lake Placid. She is a 2009 graduate of Elmira. Also at the NWHL is Elmira’s volunteer assistant ice hockey coach, Erin Gehen. Gehen plays for the Buffalo Beauts.
Elmira will take to the ice on February 19 at Nazareth in Rochester and return for their open opener against Nazareth the next day.
Cornell’s Head Women’s Ice Hockey Coach Doug Derraugh has been honored as Cornell’s first Endowed Women’s Ice Hockey Coach by the Robert Everett family.
Western New York
As noted above Nazareth will open their season on February 19 with a home game against Elmira; then travel to Elmira the following day. Elmira is the defending champion.
Several New York natives are on the Nazareth roster including Nikolle Van Stralen of Bloomfield, Stephanie Kubis of Central Square; Gabriella DeMeo, Hamburg; Alley Watrones, Whitesboro; Christina Darby, Saratoga Springs; Kelley Rose, Clayton and Kate Cascio, Oceanside.
Nazareth Assistant Coach Rhea Coad is a native of Wheatfield and is currently the assistant coach for the Buffalo Beauts of the NWHL.
RIT is 1-8 under first-year Head Coach Celeste Brown. With the February 2 game postponed, the Tigers take to the ice this evening (Feb. 3) against Syracuse. They then hit the road for Penn State on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Playing for the Tigers from NY are Emma Roland of Williamsville and Carrissa Hlywa of Auburn.
North
Clarkson is 7-5-1 on the season and with a postponement vs St. Lawrence they face Colgate February 5 and 7 after posting a 2-0 shutout over Colgate on January 29. Clarkson’s Caitrin Lonergan and Michelle Pasiechnyk have been named Player of the Week and Goaltender of the Week, respectively. Pasiechnyk was also the recipient of the Adirondack Health Rookie of the Week honors for January 30.
St. Lawrence has faced a rough season thus far with a 0-3-0 overall record, games postponed against RIT and Quinnipiac due to Covid protocols. They are scheduled to return to the ice February 12 and 13 against Clarkson. Ithaca’s Grace Smith and Potsdam’s Gabi Jones play for the Saints. St. Lawrence games can be viewed on ESPN+ and Stretch internet.
East
Manhattanville is patiently waiting the opening day for their season when the UCHC opens on February 19. There is no posted schedule as of this writing.
Five native New Yorkers will hit the ice with the Valiants including Holly Meredith, Saratoga Springs; Kerry Carr, New Hartford; Taylor Ham, Saugerties; Fjolla Berisha, Mahopac and Franny Gerardi, Yonkers.
Collegiate Notes:
The ECAC playoffs are scheduled for March 5 an 7.
The UCHC plans to begin play February 19. Colleges in that league include Elmira, Manhattanville, Utica, Neumann, Wilkes and Chatham.
The NEWHL, which includes numerous SUNY schools, has canceled their season as has the ACHA which included the University of Buffalo, Paul Smiths, RIT, SUNY Brockport, Oswego and Union in Division 2.
General Hockey Note:
Madison Square Garden will host a professional women’s ice hockey game when the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) launches its 2021 Dream Gap Tour. On February 28 at 7 p.m., the New York Rangers will host a 2021 Secret® Dream Gap Tour game and help market the showcase featuring the world’s best hockey players.
The game features about 125 players and showcases the PWHPA. Their 2020 Dream Gap Tour was canceled due to Covid. This Tour will follow protocols similar to those of the NHL.
The Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association’s (PWHPA) mission is to promote, advance and support a single, viable professional women’s ice hockey league in North America that showcases the greatest product of women’s professional ice hockey in the world. The organization aims to provide a united voice to players advocating for the creation of a sustainable professional league. PWHPA is working to accomplish its mission by coordinating training needs and programming opportunities and collaborating with like-minded organizations to make hockey more inclusive for women and future generations. To learn more about PWHPA and the Secret Dream Gap Tour, visit pwhpa.com.
