A late third period power-play goal helped @PUTIGERS down @SLUSaints 2-1 on #SaintsGoSocial night at Appleton Arena.

"There was plenty of excitement in the air for this game tonight," @SLUSaints Head Coach @SLUCWells said. "We had a very enthusiastic crowd who joined in to participate in our SaintsGoSocial night. Our effort and tenacity was constant and contagious."

@SLUSaints (9-16-3, 8-6-3) came out strong in the first period using an aggressive forecheck to keep @PUTIGERS (12-9-3, 8-7-2) backed into their own zone and generate scoring opportunities. @SLUSaints outshot @PUTIGERS 15-6 in the opening frame and registered seven shots before the visitors put anything on netminder @carmen_sandi3g0 (Carmen MacDonald).

"We had plenty of chances to score in the first where the puck just went wide or Newell was there to make some stops," @SLUCWells said. "We have had plenty of chances the past two games to score and we have been generating some consistent offense."

But it was @PUTIGERS who struck first at the 11:31 mark of the first period when Denna Laing beat @carmen_sandi3g0 high to give her team a 1-0 lead.

Just under six minutes later, senior tri-captain @RySmith15 (Rylee Smith) pulled @SLUSaints even at 1-1 on the power play with a slap shot from the point that sailed through traffic and behind @PUTigers goaltender Kimberly Newell. @gimme_MOORE (Alex Moore) provided the screen in front.

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Fellow tri-captains @Doback2 (Dayle Wilkinson) and @DJmellyD (Mel Desrochers) were credited with assists on the play. @Doback2 picked up the puck off a deflection in front and touched a pass to @DJmellyD in the left circle, who rolled out toward the half-wall before cutting to the middle and hitting @RySmith15 on the point.

The goal is the ninth of the season for @RySmith15, who passed @DJmellyD for the team lead.

Despite a combined five power-play chances in the second period, both teams escaped unscathed and entered the final frame still knotted at one.

It wasn't until inside the final minute that @PUTIGERS Rose Alleva skated in two-on-one with Brianna Leahy and beat @carmen_sandi3g0 with a one-timer from the left circle. @PUTIGERS odd-man rush started after a short-handed scoring opportunity late on the penalty kill for @SLUSaints that resulted in two players being tangled up with Newell in the crease, and sending @PUTigers the other way.

"We had a great chance to win the game on our trip down the ice," @SLUCWells explained. "Newell made two great stops and the puck popped out to Princeton who turned it the other way and made a beautiful play to finish off a two on one."

Alleva found the net with 38 seconds to play, giving @PUTigers the 2-1 win.

"Even though we didn't get the result we were looking for tonight, we were happy with our effort and chances," Wells added.

@SLUSaints will return to Appleton Arena on Saturday afternoon to take on No. 8/9 Quinnpiac at 3 p.m.