BY RANDY SCHULTZ –
LAKE PLACID, NY — Mia Wendell Stopped 14 shots and Emma Roland recorded a hat trick to lead Williamsville past Plattsburgh, 7-0. Williamsville, the defending NYS Girls High School Ice Hockey Champion, will now advance to the 2020 NYSPHSAA Girls Ice Hockey Regional Championship Game and play the Clinton Warriors on Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Herb Brooks Arena.
It was a great way for Williamsville head coach, Rick Hopkins, to celebrate his 200th game behind the bench with his team. Hopkins was recognized for his accomplishment prior to the start of the second period. He has coached the team since its inception 10 seasons ago.
Roland added her third goal early in the final period for Williamsville’s final score of the contest. Her sister, Erin Roland, assisted on the goal.
Williamsville added two goals in the second period. Jenna Cavalieri scored early at 1:54 into the second stanza. Ellie Schau and Elizabeth Jackson added assists.
Then it was Lindsey Powers putting the puck in the Plattsburgh net at 6:12. Vanessa Willick added the assist. Williamsville outshot the Hornets for the period, 9-7.
Williamsville jumped out to an early 4-0 first period lead. Elizabeth Jackson opened the scoring at 1:18 of the first period. Laura Kaplan and Ellie Schau assisted on the goal.
Emma Roland got the first of her two first period goals at the 6:13 mark. Roland came right back with another goal at 8:47. Both goals were unassisted.
Claire O’Donnell made it 4-0 at 12:21 with Kiersten Smith and Vanessa Willick assisting. Williamsville outshot the Hornets for the period, 10-3.
NOTES: Besides Roland’s hat trick and Wendell’s shutout, Schau, Jackson and Willick each had two point games…Williamsville came into the game ranked No. 1 in NYS Girls High School Ice Hockey according to MyHockey state ratings with a record now of 16-2-2…Clinton is ranked No. 3 and has a record of 12-2-3..the Championship weekend was pushed back a day due to weather…Williamsville is the Section 6 champion, Clinton is Section 3, Salmon River, Section 10 and Plattsburgh, Section 7.
