Nor'easters and Seahawks tie 2-2, Richard victorious in shootout

MIDDLETOWN, R.I.--The Salve Regina University women's ice hockey team tied 2-2 with the University of New England Nor'easters on Saturday night at the St. George's School ice rink.

The game moved to a shootout, and while the official NCAA result goes down as 2-2, Gina Richard broke the CCC tie in-conference with a shoutout goal on the Seahawks fourth attempt. Freshman Kyra Mittendorf earned her first collegiate goal during the second period. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Salve Regina 2, New England 2
Records: Salve Regina (4-1-1, 2-1-1), New England (4-2-2, 3-1-2)
All-Time Series: After yesterday's 1-0 loss the Seahawks began the contest with a 6-12 record, which changes to 6-12-1 after the game. 

BREAKDOWN: 

• Period I: Yesterday's overtime nail-biting result meant that both teams would have to play at the top of their game in order to earn a victory. This time the scoring began in regulation. The Nor'easters, feeding off the energy they gained Friday, opened the day with a goal 13:03 into the game, Mia LaPlante took a slap shot sending the puck soaring. The period ended with eight shots for Salve Regina and six shots for New England.
• Period II: Despite showing some hesitation early on in the contest the Seahawks decided to take back the game. Lead by Kyra Mittendorf, the Seahawks pulled even with 2:50 left in the second period. Mittendorf nailed the puck into the net from just outside the crease. She was assisted by Emma Gotthelf. Just like Friday night the two teams were even going into the final period.
• Period III: The game swung in favor of the Nor'easters when Jamie DuPoint slingshot New England ahead once again with a goal 5:03 down. Ashtyn Bringardner brought the game even at 2-2 when she found the net assisted by Mittendorf. Regulation ended with both programs feeling déjà vu from their previous meetup.
• OT: Two four on three power play opportunities appeared during overtime, the first coming when New England was called for hooking. Shortly after Nor'easters' Lainie Lemieux exited the penalty box Salve Regina was called on a tripping infraction. Both goalies made two saves during overtime, but 2-2 on the scoreboard remained.
• SO: The game went down in the NCAA record book as a tie, yet for CCC ranking purposes the action continued with a best of three shootouts. Emily Wroblewski, Riley Esposito and Maddie Cox all took a whack at it, but Delanie Corcoran allowed no scoring. Sydney Baxter for the Seahawks was a force against the Nor'easters shootout attempts and neither team saw a victor after three attempts each. Moving to a best-of-one style shootout it was Gina Richard who catapulted the puck into New England's net, ending the game.

NOTEWORTHY:

• During the matchup the Seahawks took 19 shots on goal and the Nor'easters attempted 24 shots.
• New England saw two power play opportunities and Salve Regina went on the power play three times.
• Both Seahawks' Sydney Baster and Nor'easters' Delanie Corcoran remained in goal for the entire contest. Baxter made 17 saves and Corcoran made 22 saves.

THOUGHTS FROM COACH LUN: 

Women's ice hockey ended the weekend with a 2-2 draw and shootout victory. Head coach David Lun reflects on the UNE series: pic.twitter.com/9FmFIkGf4n

— Salve Regina Sports (@SalveAthletics) November 19, 2023

ON THE HORIZON: 

On Tuesday, November 21 the team travels to Salem, Massachusetts to take on the Salem State University Vikings at 7 p.m.