Seahawks secure spot in postseason, beat Nichols 2-1

HARRISVILLE, R.I. (Saturday 17, February, 2024)-- Salve Regina women's ice hockey advances to the Commonwealth Coast Conference postseason after beating the Nichols College Bison 2-1 in the last 2023-24 regular season game. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Salve Regina 2, Nichols 1
Records: Salve Regina (11-11-3, 8-9-1 CCC), Nichols (7-18-0, 1-17-0 CCC)
All-Time Series: Since the 2007-08 season the Seahawks are 25-9-3 against the Bison. Salve Regina beat Nichols twice this season before tonight's contest began. 

BREAKDOWN: 

• Period I: On January 25, Salve Regina saw Nichols and the Bison got an early 2-0 lead in the first period. The Seahawks were determined to change the tides for tonight's matchup and Jillian Egan (from Kyra Mittendorf) carried out that plan with a goal just 3:27 into the contest. The Bison matched the Seahawks when Kayla Currin netted Nichols' first goal at 11:05. Going into the second period Salve Regina outshot Nichols 11-4 and won 11 to the seven bison faceoffs.  
• Period II: The Seahawks took the intermission to adjust their strategy and refocus, however the stalemate continued for the following 13 minutes. Gina Richard (from Riley Esposito) was the difference maker when she broke away from the pack, crossing in front of Nichols' crease, and poked it in for her 15th goal of the season with 13:34 gone in the second period. Over the course of the period Salve Regina outshot Nichols 7-4 and won 11 faceoffs. 
• Period III: Neither team scored in the final 20 minutes of regulation, giving the Seahawks a 2-0 regulation win. Salve Regina secured a spot in the CCC postseason after tonight's win. The program sits in fifth place in the CCC with 25.5 points. The Seahawks sit just ahead of Curry College (23.5 points) and Suffolk University (23 points) going into the playoffs. 

NOTEWORTHY:

• Sydney Baxter earned another win, standing in the Seahawks goal with 17 saves and a save percentage of .944. 
• Last year the Seahawks finished the season with an overall record of 11-14 and 6-12 in the CCC.
• All three goals scored this evening, including both teams, were even strength. Salve Regina went 0-6 and Nichols went 0-4 on the power play. 

ON THE HORIZON: 

After today's contest No. 4 Salve Regina will progress to the postseason and will take on No. 5 Curry College Wednesday, February 21 at the Cabot-Harman Ice Center.