HAMILTON – The Raiders are off to their best start in ECAC in program history with today’s win against Brown. Colgate defeated the Bears, 3-0, to move to 5-0-0 in conference play.
Currently, the Raiders are ranked fifth in the nation overall, the highest ranking in program history. The 13-game unbeaten streak is not only the longest in Colgate’s program history, but also in the nation.
Colgate recorded two goals in the first period to hold the early lead over the Bears and would not look back.
Both teams were scoreless through the first eight minutes of the game, but Colgate had multiple good looks at the goal and was bound to break through with one.
Quirion was the first to have a shot connect and put Colgate on the board at 8:26 in the first period. The senior captain brought the puck up the boards on the left side of the ice and had a great shot opportunity, but Brown’s goalie Monica Elvin made a terrific save. Quirion collected the rebound off the save, and swung around the back of the net. The senior put the puck right past the goalie from the right side of the net to give Colgate the early lead.
Bailey Larson was called for a hooking penalty at 11:04 in the period, giving Brown its first power-play opportunity. The Raiders were able to stave off any Bear advances with some great defensive plays and it paid off.
Shortly after, Brown was called for a penalty at 12:23, overlapping Larson’s, but unlike the Bears, Colgate was able to capitalize on its first power-play opportunity in the period.
Quirion had the puck on the left side of the ice about three yards in front of the blue line in the closing seconds of the power-play. The senior dished to Breanne Wilson-Bennett who was stationed in front of the goal. Wilson-Bennett passed the puck out of the way of the defense and Larson corralled it on the boards. She skated the puck across the ice and fired a hard slap shot from just in front of the blue line that ricocheted into the goal to put Colgate up 2-0.
The Raiders outshot the Bears 19-3 in the first period.
The defenses for both teams held strong in the second period, with neither team allowing a goal.
Brown had an opportunity to get on the board though, when Shelby Perry was called for checking at 7:28, the lone penalty in the second period.
Colgate was able to kill of the penalty, holding its 2-0 lead intact at the end of 40 minutes of play. The Raiders once again outshot the Bears, recording 21 to Brown’s eight.
The first five minutes of the final period were once again silent for both teams, but Perry was able to break through for the first goal scored since 14:20 in the first period. Shannon Ormel had the puck in a swarm of defenders right in front of the net, but was able to kick it out to Labbe who was stationed and ready to fire the puck once received. Labbe got the shot off, but Brown’s goalie got her stick on it to deflect it away from the goal. Perry was right beside the net and collected the deflection, sneaking the puck past the goalie to give Colgate the 3-0 lead.
Colgate had five other opportunities to tack on another goal in the final 14 minutes of the game. Although the Raiders recorded 26 shots on goal in the period, the Bears were able to kill off three of the penalties, keeping their deficit at three. Two of Brown’s players remained in the box when the final horn sounded.
Brown’s goalie Monica Elvin recorded a career-high 63 saves in the game on 66 Colgate shots.
Colgate is on the road next weekend, facing two tough ECAC opponents in Princeton and Quinnipiac. The Raiders take on the Tigers on Friday at 6 p.m. and the Bobcats on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Bottom Line
– Colgate 3, Brown 0
Won-Lost Records
– The Raiders move to 12-0-1 on the year and 5-0-0 in conference play. The 5-0-0 start in conference play is Colgate’s best ECAC start in program history.
– With the win, Colgate continues its longest unbeaten streak in program history, extending the stretch to 13 games.
– The Raiders are one of three remaining unbeaten teams in the nation, alongside No. 1 Wisconsin and No. 4 St. Lawrence.
– The 13-game unbeaten streak is the longest currently in the nation.
– Brown falls to 3-6-0 in the 2016-17 campaign and 1-5-0 in conference play.
Key Raider Info
– Quirion led the Raiders with two points, recording a goal and an assist in the game.
– Larson and Perry pitched in a goal to help Colgate secure the victory.
– Wilson-Bennett dished out her third assist of the season in the game.
– Labbe notched her seventh assist this season and Ormel recorded her second assist of the year.
– Vandyk recorded 16 saves during the game.
Inside the Box Score
– Colgate went 1-4 on power-play opportunities, while Yale went 0-1.
– The Raiders outshot the Bears 66-16.
– During the 60 minutes of play, Colgate won 41-of-53 faceoffs.
– Brown’s goalie recorded a career-high 63 saves in the game.
Up Next
– The Raiders have a tough ECAC slate next weekend as they taken on Princeton and Quinnipiac.
– Colgate faces Princeton, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m. on Friday evening in Princeton, N.J.
– The Tigers hold the series advantage over the Raiders, with 23 Princeton wins, eight Colgate wins and three ties.
– The team then travels to Hamden, Conn. where they will take on Quinnipiac on Saturday, Nov. 19.
– Colgate holds the 15-11-4 series lead over the Bobcats, including a 9-4-3 recorded in Hamden, Conn.
– Live stats and video will be available for both games.
