Women's Ice Hockey Ties Season Opener in New York

With a goal of winning the championship this year, the women’s ice hockey team traveled away on Friday October 28th to battle against SUNY Buffalo State. The Panthers returned with a 4-4 tie for the record books.

The game started out fast with a goal from each team within the first ten minutes on ice. Buffalo State’s Junior forward Erin Gehen scored just eighteen seconds into the game assisted by Junior Brooke Krantz and Freshman Cheyenne Matson (Wasilla, A.K). The Panthers fired back six and a half minutes later with a power play goal scored by Freshman Kailey Jacobs (Westwood, M.A), who was assisted by Freshman Caitlin Conner (Bow, N.H) and Amanda McPherson (Livonia, M.I). The two teams would end the first period in a 1-1 tie.

13:12 into the second period Buffalo scored the first goal of the period, a lead that wouldn’t last for long. A power play goal scored by Sophomore Madeline Kromer assisted by Junior Erin Gehen. Matson’s goal was quickly followed up by Panthers Junior Shannon Hickey (Arlington, M.A) who was assisted by McPherson and Sophomore Mackenzie Kennedy (Brea, C.A). The two teams would go into the third tied yet again.

During the third period Buffalo State would lead the Panthers in an endless chase into overtime. Buffalo scored the first goal of the third eight minutes in from an unassisted goal from Junior Caitie Horvatits (Elma, N.Y). The Panthers Sophomore Taylor Jackson (St. Albans V.T) netted a goal to continue the tie game, assisted by Hickey and Connor.

An assist from Juniors Georgia Kleiner and Rachel Lenard to Freshman Jessica Carter gave Buffalo the upper hand until the second power play goal of the game was scored by Plymouth’s Shannon Hickey, her third point of the night. Hickey was assisted by Conner and Senior Hayley Branovan (Canadaigua, N.Y).

The teams would battle it out in a five minute overtime that resulted scoreless, the game ending with a 4-4 tie. Junior Taylor Shrode (Craig, C.O) commented on the overall play of the game: “during the game there was a lot of puck watching. We need to work on being more aggressive.”

The Panthers hope to gain their first win of the season when they play at home this Friday against Holy Cross.