BUFFALO, N.Y.- Sophomore Stephanie Grossi scored the game-winning goal to propel Syracuse past Penn State in triple overtime of the College Hockey America semifinals on Friday afternoon, as the Orange outlasted the Nittany Lions by the final score of 3-2 in what became the longest game in CHA and program history. Syracuse will take on Mercyhurst tomorrow at 3 p.m. in the CHA Championship.
It took Syracuse (19-13-3, 13-4-2 CHA) 116 minutes and 10 seconds to defeat Penn State (12-19-6, 6-8-6 CHA), marking the longest game in both CHA and program history. Before today’s game, the longest game in CHA history was two years ago between Robert Morris and Lindenwood, last 108 minutes.
After two overtime period of silence, Grossi collected a pass from classmate Alysha Burriss and buried it top shelf for the game-winning goal, leading to an epic dog pile near the Syracuse bench. Burriss led the Orange with two points, dishing out two assists in the semifinal victory.
With over 116 minutes played, Syracuse outshot Penn State 64-42. The Orange led by two goals headed into the third period, but two consecutive goals from the Nittany Lions led to three extra sessions of 20-minute hockey.
Like the two overtime periods, both sides skated to a scoreless frame in the first. The Orange and Nittany Lions were even at 10 shots apiece after one, portraying the type of game it was.
Sophomore Megan Quinn put Syracuse up 1-0 at the 3:19 mark of the second period with a blast from the point, beating Penn State goaltender Celine Whitlinger for the game’s first goal. Nearly 14 minutes later, freshman Allie Munroe made it 2-0 on a power-play goal with a wrister at the 17:29 mark. The two goals from the Orange defenseman delivered Syracuse a 2-0 lead headed into the third.
The Nittany Lions came out firing in the third frame, as Bella Sutton put Penn State within one goal by putting the puck past senior netminder Jenn Gilligan. Laura Bowman evened the contest just over two minutes later with a power-play goal. The Orange and Nittany Lions were held scoreless for the next 70 minutes until Grossi became the hero with the game winner.
Gilligan finished the contest with 40 total saves, including two huge kick saves on break-away opportunities to keep the Orange alive. Whitlinger made 61 total saves, turning aside majority of the Syracuse shots throughout the afternoon. Both goalies continued to give their respective team the shot to come out on top, but at the end of the day it was Gilligan and the Orange playing victor.
Syracuse seeks its first CHA Championship tomorrow at 3 p.m. when the squad takes on Mercyhurst at the HARBORCENTER in Buffalo, N.Y. The Orange and Lakers went 2-2 against each other in the regular season.
