POTSDAM, N.Y.-No. 2 Plattsburgh State (20-2-2, 16-2 ECAC West) scored three third period goals to pull away for a 7-1 victory over the SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team (8-15-1, 5-12-1) on Wednesday night. Sophomore forward Jordan Ott (Hilton, N.Y./Rochester Edge) scored for the Bears and junior goalie Abby Tardelli (Potsdam, N.Y./North Country Ice Storm) finished with 41 saves. Freshman forward Melissa Sheeran (Schaghitcoke/Millbrook School) led Plattsburgh with two goals and two assists.
The Cardinals scored 1:08 into the contest. A loose puck kicked out in front of Tardelli and Plattsburgh senior forward Morgan MacInnis (Cornwall, Ontario/Nepean Wildcats) fired it into the net. Tardelli stopped the other 12 shots that came her way in the opening 20 minutes. The Bears created a couple strong scoring chances among their six shots, but couldn’t beat sophomore goalie Camille Leonard (Oakville, Ontario/Oakville Jr. Hornets).
Plattsburgh started even faster in the second period. Just 40 seconds in, junior forward Bridget Balisy (Brampton, Ontario/Brampton Thunder) tipped a shot from senior forward Shannon Stewart (Pickering, Ontario/Durham West) past Tardelli for a 2-0 lead. At 9:19, after a Potsdam failed clearing attempt, Sheeran slid a pass across the crease and sophomore forward Katelyn Turk (Mississauga, Ontario/Etobicoke Dolphins) sent it into the open net. Five minutes later, junior forward Giovanna Senese (Huntley, Ill./Chicago Mission) finished a pretty passing play to give the Cardinals a four-goal advantage. At the 16:59 mark, Potsdam junior forward Alison Greene (Massena, N.Y./Norwich University) sent a pass ahead to Ott for a breakaway. Ott then beat Leonard glove side with a backhander into the top of the net. The Bears trailed 4-1 after two periods.
The third period featured fairly even play early, but the Cardinals regained the four-goal advantage midway nearly through. At 8:22, Sheeran ripped a shot over Tardelli’s right shoulder after a two long passes. The Bears went on their final power play with 6:05 left, but were unable to capitalize. Two minutes later, freshman forward Olivia Fox (Masillon, Ohio/Culver Academy) deflected a pass from the right corner over Tardelli to make it 6-1. With 44 seconds left, Sheeran struck again to close the scoring at 7-1.
Leonard stopped 23 shots. Plattsburgh was 0-for-1 on the power play and the Bears went 0-for-3. The loss eliminates Potsdam from playoff contention for the first time in four seasons.
The Bears wrap up the season tomorrow night when they travel to SUNY Canton to take on North Country rival Kangaroos at 7 p.m.
