Elmira freshman goaltender Leonie-Louise Kuehberger makes a diving glove save to rob Adrian senior forward Jessica VonRuden of a goal in front a wide-open net in the final minute of the first period of the Northfield Savings Bank East-West Classic’s consolation game at Norwich’s Kreitzberg Arena. The consolation game of the Northfield Savings Bank East-West Classic at Norwich University’s Kreitzberg Arena went to overtime for the third consecutive iteration of the tournament, with the Elmira College Soaring Eagles sharing third place once again, this time after a 2-2 tie with the Bulldogs of Adrian College.
Elmira opened the scoring late in the first period with a shot from the blue line by sophomore defenseman Madi Morton on the powerplay after Morton exchanged the puck several times with Senior forward Mary McCafferty several times to shift the defense.
In the final seconds of the first period, Adrian senior forward Jessica VanRuden took a shot as the puck fell to her in front of a wide-open net at the back door, only to be robbed with a diving glove save from Elmira freshman goaltender Leonie-Louise Kuehberger.
Despite Adrian’s 13-4 lead in shots on net in the opening frame, Morton’s tally gave the Soaring Eagles the 1-0 lead at the first intermission.
With Elmira’s Sabrina Shvartsman already in the penalty box for a tripping call late in the first period, a tripping penalty by Jenny Heath in the first minute of the second period gave the Bulldogs a 5-on-3 advantage. Adrian took advantage of the penalties, as a pass by sophomore defenseman Jocelin Hudanish deflected off an Elmira skate into the net for the tying goal.
Despite long spells of offensive pressure from the Bulldogs in the second period, the Soaring Eagles retook their lead at the midpoint of the game with a goal by senior forward Morgan Mordini and once again carried the one-goal advantage into the locker room.
Early in the third period, Adrian once again took full advantage of a powerplay opportunity, as an Elmira defenseman dispossessed a driving Maya Roy, only to have the puck fall to the stick of sophomore forward Karmen Anderson, who sent the puck high glove-side for the game-tying goal.
The two sides exchanged scoring opportunities throughout the 3-on-3 overtime period, but neither side could breakthrough for the victory.
The best opportunity of the extra period came in the final minute, as an ill-timed line change left Adrian exposed. The Soaring Eagles skated in 2-on-0, but Adrian’s junior goaltender Sophie Goldberg was able to kick the right pad out in time to deny the goal.
Kuehberger made 35 saves on Adrian’s 37 shots, while Goldberg stopped 30 of Elmira’s 32.
Gallery