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Western New England University

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Women's Ice Hockey 1.28.24
1
Suffolk SUF 5-14-1, 4-8-1
3
Winner Western New Eng. WNE 12-5-2, 8-4-1
Suffolk SUF
5-14-1, 4-8-1
1
Final
3
Western New Eng. WNE
12-5-2, 8-4-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 F
Suffolk SUF 0 1 0 1
Western New Eng. WNE 0 1 2 3

Game Recap: Women's Ice Hockey |

Kayla Ireland’s 33 Saves and Jenna Lynch’s Shorthanded, Game-Winning Goal Boost Golden Bears Past Rams 3-1

West Springfield, Mass. (January 27, 2024) – The Golden Bears returned to the Olympia Ice Center for their second game against the Suffolk University Rams. WNE hosted their annual "Hockey Fights Cancer Night" during the game. After a scoreless first period of play, both teams would score in the second, and the Golden Bears would notch two goals in the third to win the game 3-1. Alexa Paoli, Jenna Lynch, and Maddy Tucker each had a goal for the Golden Bears.

Records:

  • Western New England: 12-5-2 (8-4-1)
  • Suffolk University: 5-14-1 (4-8-1)

How it Happened:

WNE and Suffolk University hopped on the ice for a Saturday night CCC showdown. Kayla Ireland and Lily O'Neil were in net for the teams, respectively. Sam Molind won the opening faceoff for the Rams, and the game started. The Rams started similarly to the night prior, with eight of the first ten shots. Five of the shots had to be saved by Ireland, who kept the Rams out of the back of the net. After the teams traded shots for a little while, the Rams had four shots in a row, leading to a WNE penalty. The Rams had six shots during the power play, with two on goal, which Ireland saved. The Golden Bears also had a shorthanded shot go wide of the net during the penalty time. The Rams kept up the pressure after the power play with six shots and one on goal, which Ireland had to save again. The Golden Bears would finish the first with nine of the next eleven shots and five shots that had to be saved by O'Neil. The first period of play would end with neither team able to break the tie. After one period of play, the stat line showed Suffolk with 28 total shots and 12 shots on goal. The Golden Bears had 14 total shots and five shots on goal. The Rams won the faceoff battle 7-6, and the Golden Bears had more blocked shots 7-2.

The second period of play started with Sam Molind winning the opening faceoff again for the Rams. The teams traded shots to begin the second before Alessia Di Silvestro netted the game's first goal. Di Silvestro would send the puck down the left side of the boards in the Golden Bear defensive zone. The puck was directed back behind the Golden Bear net by Anya Nichipor to Sydney Fascetta, who found Di Silvestro cutting toward the net. Di Silvestro took the pass and sent the puck past the WNE goalie to give the Rams the 1-0 lead 2:28 into the second. The Golden Bears would have a shot saved before going on the power play. The Golden Bears had four shots on the power play. The fourth was the equalizing goal from Alexa Paoli. After a blocked shot, Kelly Yorkey got the puck back and sent it to Alyssa Murphy, who had a shot saved. The puck was redirected to Paoli, who scored 4:29 into the second. The score was now 1-1 after the power play goal from Alexa Paoli. The Golden Bears then had three shots before the Rams had seven shots in a row, with Ireland needing to make four saves and doing so. The Golden Bears were then called for a penalty. The Rams had six shots during the power play, with two on goal. Ireland made both saves. Maddie Pope had a shorthanded opportunity that O'Neil saved. 

The teams traded shots before the Rams were called for a penalty. The Golden Bears had five shots during the power play, with three shots saved by O'Neil. Ireland had to make a save during that power play, as well. The Rams had a shot blocked before the Golden Bears were called for a penalty with ten seconds remaining in the second period of play. The Rams had one shot go wide before the end of the second. The second period of play's stat line showed 23 total shots from the Rams, with 11 shots on goal. The Golden Bears had 17 total shots and nine on goal. The Rams had more faceoffs won 11-7. Both teams had two power play opportunities, and the Golden Bears had the only power play goal of the second period of play. The game was tied 1-1 after two periods of play. 

The third period of play started with Sam Molind winning the opening faceoff for the Rams. The Rams were still on the power play and had three shots, with one on goal to start the third. Both teams would get a couple of shots before the Rams were called for a penalty. The Golden Bears only had one shot during the power play. Soon after the WNE power play ended, the Rams had a power play. Suffolk University had five shots, with two being saved by Ireland during the beginning of the power play. Then, Allison Walker would knock the puck out of the Golden Bear defensive zone, and to Jenna Lynch, who skated towards the Suffolk University goal all alone, made a move around the goalie and scored. The Golden Bears had the 2-1 lead 8:50 into the third, thanks to a shorthanded goal from Jenna Lynch. The Rams did not have another shot during that power play. The Rams were called for a penalty shortly after. The Golden Bears had five shots during the power play, with one on goal. The Rams would then have the majority of the shots leading up to the 15:00 mark in the third. At the 15:00 mark, Emma Birmingham had a shot blocked. The puck fell to Maddy Tucker on the front left side of the net. Tucker hit the puck into the back of the net, and the Golden Bears led 3-1. The Rams had four shots in a row and pulled their goalie. That led to the Golden Bears calling a timeout. The Rams then had a shot, which was countered by a long shot down ice from Maddie Pope, which stung the pipe and stayed out of the net. The Rams ended the game with six shots in a row and three on goal, which Ireland saved. The third ended with the Golden Bears getting the victory. After three periods of play, the Rams had 80 total shots, with 34 on goal. The Golden Bears had 45 total shots and 19 shots on goal. The Rams won 31 faceoffs compared to the Golden Bears' 17. The Golden Bears had more blocked shots, 23-10. Both teams had four penalties. The Golden Bears had a power play and shorthanded goal. The Golden Bears won 3-1.

Inside the Crease:

  • The Golden Bears and Rams took the ice against each other for the second game in a row. 
  • There were no goals in the opening period of play.
  • Alessia Di Silvestro would score the game's opening goal. Sydney Fascetta and Anya Nichipor had the assists. The Rams led 1-0, 2:28 into the second.
  • Alexa Paoli notched the first Golden Bear goal of the game 4:29 into the second. Alyssa Murphy and Kelly Yorkey assisted the goal. The game was tied at one.
  • Jenna Lynch scored a shorthanded goal 8:50 into the third period of play for the game-winning goal. Allison Walker had the assist. The Golden Bears led 2-1.
  • Maddy Tucker extended the Golden Bears' lead to two 15:00 into the third. Emma Birmingham was credited with the assist. The Golden Bears led 3-1.
  • Lily O'Neil had 16 saves.
  • Kayla Ireland had 33 saves and earned the win.
  • The Golden Bears won the game 3-1.

Up Next on the Schedule:

  • The Golden Bears will host the Endicott College Gulls in their next game. That game will be on Friday, February 2, at 8:00 PM at the Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
  • The Rams will host the University of New England in their next game, which will be on Friday, February 2, at 6:00 PM. That game will be at the Louis E. Porrazzo Memorial Skating Rink in Boston, Massachusetts.
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