POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team (2-8-1) rallied twice
to earn a 2-2 draw with Saint Michael’s College (1-7-1) on Friday
afternoon at Cheel Arena. Sophomore forwards Alexandra Holowka (Winnepeg,
Manitoba/Balmoral Hall) and Izzy Fayerman (Calgary, Alberta/The Edge) each
scored for the Bears.
The Purple Knights got on the board first in an even opening period at the
14:05 mark. Junior defenseman Olivia Collins (South Boston, Mass./Boston
Latin School) took a shot from the point that was tipped over the stick of
Potsdam senior goalie Jen Conophy (Glenmont, N.Y./Albany Ice Cats) by
freshman forward Caitie Shea (Smithfield, R.I./Mount Saint Charles
Academy) for a 1-0 Saint Mike’s lead. Conophy turned aside the other eight
shots she faced in the period, while Purple Knights’ senior goalie Erin
Stevens (Watertown, Conn./Connecticut Polar Bears) stopped all nine Bears
attempts.
The even play continued through the second period. After killing off a
penalty, Potsdam went on its only power play midway through the middle
stanza. After Stevens stopped two Bears’ shots, Holowka buried the second
rebound to tie the game at one. Sophomore forward Emilee Hazelden
(Bloomingdale, N.Y./Northwood School) recorded the assist. The goaltenders
worked hard during middle stanza to keep the score tied heading into the
intermission. Stevens made 16 saves, while Conophy put up a zero with 15
more.
Senior defenseman Allison Graf (Long Lake, Minn./Minnesota Thoroughbreds)
put Saint Mike’s back in front 2-1 at 2:32 of the third period with a hard
shot from the point that glanced off Conophy’s pads. Potsdam kept the
pressure on, outshooting the Purple Knights 14-9 in the third period, but
Stevens kept the puck out of the net. After the Bears killed off another
penalty, the offense finally made its move. With 3:11 on the clock,
Fayerman finished a beautiful tic-tac-toe passing play, beating Stevens
five-hole. Junior forward Amanda Lucky (Kanata, Ontario/Clarkson
University) and freshman forward Sally Mooney (New Albany, Ohio/Wyoming
Seminary) each notched assists on the tally. The Bears nearly grabbed the
lead a minute later, but a shot from Amanda Lucky sailed high.
Just three shots were taken in overtime, two by Potsdam and one by Saint
Mike’s, but the Bears had the better of the chances. With 1:09 remaining
in the extra session, Lucky tipped a shot from the point, but Stevens
robbed her with a reflex glove save. With about 20 seconds to go Hazelden
fired wide on a breakaway and the teams settled with a 2-2 draw.
Conophy finished with 32 saves in another solid effort, while Stevens
totaled 40 stops. Potsdam outshot the Purple Knights 42-34. The Bears were
1-1 on the power play and Saint Mike’s was 0-3.
The teams go at it again tomorrow at 3 p.m. to close out the first half of
the season.
