Biddeford, Maine (February 17, 2024) – The Golden Bears took on the University of New England Nor'Easters in both teams' regular-season finale with the number two seed and home-ice advantage for the CCC semifinal game on the line. After the opening period of play yielded no goals, Maddie Pope scored a goal in both the second and third periods of play to help the Golden Bears beat the Nor'Easters 2-0. Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made 28 saves to complete the shutout victory.

Records:

• Western New England: 15-7-3 (11-5-2)
• University of New England: 10-12-3 (9-6-3)

How it Happened:

Rieley Jessie-Gerelli and Delanie Corcoran led the teams on the ice for the matchup on Saturday night. Amanda Forziati won the opening faceoff for the Nor'Easters to get the game underway. The Golden Bears had their first shot saved by Corcoran. The Nor'Easters would answer with two shots. That was followed by the Golden Bears having two shots, as well. The Nor'Easters then had eight of the next ten shots and were putting the pressure on WNE. Jessie-Gerelli and the Golden Bear defense kept UNE off the scoreboard. The Golden Bears tested Corcoran three times in a row to respond. However, UNE then had nine shots in a row before they were called for a penalty. The Golden Bears gained a power play opportunity. The Golden Bears had six shots during the power play, with two shots on goal saved by Corcoran. WNE had another shot after the power play ended. The opening period of play ended with the Nor'Easters having three shots in a row and the Golden Bears having two. After one period of play, the Nor'Easters led 23-17 in total shots, 12-8 in shots on goal, and 7-5 in blocked shots. The Golden Bears had more saves, 12-8, and faceoffs won 6-5. The Golden Bears were 0-1 on the power play. The score was tied 0-0, leading into the first intermission.

The second period of play started with Jamie DuPont winning the opening faceoff for the Nor'Easters. The Golden Bears had six of the first seven shots of the second. Their sixth shot was taken by Maddie Pope, who scored. Allison Walker sent a pass back to Alyssa Murphy, who sent a shot that hit Pope. Pope then turned and sent a quick shot under the goalie's pads and into the back of the net. The Golden Bears led 1-0 3:12 into the second. The Nor'Easters had four shots in a row to answer the goal. The Golden Bears responded with three shots. The Nor'Easters would flip the possession back in their favor and get two shots off. The Golden Bears had three shots before the Nor'Easters had nine of the next ten shots. They kept pressuring WNE, but the Golden Bears kept them from getting the equalizing goal. The Golden Bears answered with two shots to help give Jessie-Gerelli a break. UNE would have another shot before the Golden Bears had two more shots. The teams went back and forth with shot after shot, testing the goaltenders. Both defenses did a good job deflecting and blocking shots before they got to goal. Once the clock got within five minutes to play in the second, the Golden Bears had four shots in a row, answered by two Nor'Easter shots. WNE was switching the pressure and keeping the momentum in their possession. The Golden Bears finished with three of the final four shots of the second period of play, and the teams went into the second intermission with a goal separating them. The second period of play's stat line showed the Golden Bears flip the script in terms of total shots, where they led 25-22, and shots on goal, where they led 12-9. The Nor'Easters won the faceoff battle 13-9, and both teams had seven blocked shots during the second. Neither team had a power play opportunity during the second, and after two periods of play, the Golden Bears led 1-0.

Allison Walker started the final period of play by winning the opening faceoff for the Golden Bears. The Nor'Easters entered the final period of play, looking for the equalizing goal. They had the first two shots of the third before the Golden Bears answered with seven shots in a row. The seventh shot saw Maddie Pope put the puck into the back of the net. Alyssa Murphy sent the puck to Maddy Tucker at the top of the Golden Bear offensive zone. Tucker sent a shot toward the net. It deflected off the goalie to Maddie Pope, who pushed the puck into the net to give the Golden Bears a 2-0 lead with 12:36 left in the game. The Golden Bears continued to apply pressure with two more shots in a row after the goal. UNE then answered with three shots in a row before the Golden Bears got two shots on Corcoran. The Nor'Easters finished the game with eight shots in a row. However, the Golden Bears kept the puck out of the net, and the game ended with the Golden Bears winning by two. The final stat line showed UNE lead in total shots 58-53, faceoffs won 22-20 and blocked shots 16-14. The Golden Bears had more shots on goal 29-28, and more saves 28-27. The Golden Bears were 0-1 on the power play. The Golden Bears won the game 2-0, and will host a playoff game for the first time in program history.

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears traveled to Biddeford, Maine, for their regular-season finale against the University of New England.
• There were no goals in the opening period of play. 
• Maddie Pope opened the scoring with a goal 3:12 into the second period of play. Alyssa Murphy and Allison Walker were credited with the assists. The Golden Bears led 1-0.
• Maddie Pope doubled the lead 7:24 into the final period of play. Alyssa Murphy and Maddy Tucker had the assists on the goal. The Golden Bears led 2-0.
• Delanie Corcoran made 27 saves.
• Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made 28 saves and earned a shutout win.
• The Golden Bears won 2-0.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The teams will play each other again in the semifinal round of the CCC playoffs. The game will be on Saturday, February 24, in West Springfield, Massachusetts, at the Olympia Ice Center. The game time has not been announced yet.