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Strong first period drives SUNY Potsdam women's hockey to key win

Posted 1/30/11

POTSDAM, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team squandered a three-goal lead but recovered Sunday for a 4-3 victory over Utica in a pivotal Eastern College Athletic Conference West contest …

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Strong first period drives SUNY Potsdam women's hockey to key win

Posted

POTSDAM, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team squandered a three-goal lead but recovered Sunday for a 4-3 victory over Utica in a pivotal Eastern College Athletic Conference West contest at Maxcy Hall.

Freshman Jessica Silveira (Brampton, Ontario) grabbed a rebound in front of the net and sent it past the goaltender for what proved to be the game-winning goal with 12:20 remaining in the contest. Junior Brandi Atwell (Cornwall, Ontario) assisted on the play.

With the win, the Bears (8-11-1 overall, 4-9 ECAC West) hold sole possession of seventh place in the conference with eight points, four behind the Pioneers for the final spot in the ECAC West playoffs.

With just five games remaining in the season, Potsdam will need to earn at least four points and get help to qualify for the postseason. Players and coaches realize the importance of every possible point going forward.

Potsdam took full advantage of a pair of power play opportunities in the first period. Just under four minutes into the game, freshman Emma Smetaniuk (Frankford, Ontario) took a feed in front of the net and gave the Bears the first goal of the contest. Junior Breanna Roy (Orleans, Ontario) put Potsdam ahead 2-0 on a shot from just in front of the blue line with 9:10 to play in the frame.

The Bears took a three-goal advantage when junior Stephanie Simons(Stratford, Ontario) scored in a short-handed situation with just 18 seconds left on the clock. The tally was Simons’ seventh of the season.

Utica (10-7, 6-6) scored three unanswered goals, including two power-play tallies, in the second, tying the game at 3-3 at the 8:18 mark.

Sophomore goaltender Jen Conophy (Glenmont, N.Y.) finished with 31 saves for her sixth win of the season. Silveira totaled two points, while freshman Brittany Lucky (Kanata, Ontario) and Jenn Crawford (Burlington,

Ontario) each added an assist.

The Bears return to the ice this Wednesday, Feb. 2, at conference rival Plattsburgh. Game time is set for 7 p.m. in Plattsburgh, N.Y.