The expanded version of the Panther/Cardinal Classic opened with Elmira skating away with a hard fought 3-1 win over the hosting Panthers. The game started with fast paced end to end action. Both teams had some good looks but Dreher in net for Middlebury was matched by Crawford in the Elmira goal. Middlebury finally broke the deadlock on a powerplay late in the 1st. Wulf won a faceoff in the left circle to Sherman on the half boards; Sherman moved the puck to Wardwell at left point and she returned the puck to Sherman; Sherman had space and walked across the circle toward the slot before slipping a pass to Wulf in the slot for a one timer that beat a moving Crawford down low. Midway in the 2nd Crawford came up big with her glove denying Sherman on a forehand from point blank. Minutes later the Soaring Eagles notched a powerplay goal of their own to tie at 1-1. Dreher made a quick series of stops on shots from in close and Evangelous grabbed a rebound off a Tude shot and nailed the puck into the net low to Dreher's stickside. Middlebury had several good chances in the early 3rd action and saw a Watson powerplay drive tipped in front and off Crawford's stickside post. Elmira scored the game winner on a break from the neutral zone down left wing. Chivers got the puck to Lippiatt-Durnell as they topped the left circle; she dropped a pass to Jerolman and with Dreher screened, Jerolman rifled a wrist shot from low in the left circle into the net to Dreher's gloveside. Elmira iced the game when Piku came out of t he penalty box, collected a loose puck and broke wide down right wing behind the Midd D. Piku made a pass from deep in the right corner that connected with a streaking Nystrom arriving at the goal mouth to shovel the puck home to Dreher's stickside. Following an Elmira timeout at 16:38 Coach Mandigo pulled his goalie for the extra attacker and despite sustained pressure in the closing moments the final stood at 3-1 Elmira.
More action at Kenyon tomorrow with Wisconsin-Stevens Point facing Plattsburgh at 2 followed by Gustavus Adolphus against Elmira at 5!!!
That doesn't seem very likely. My guess is it was done on purpose. I think it's great. What a fun hockey weekend! I'd love to see more events like this in D1 and D3.
I'm really intrigued to see how the Western teams do. In my opinion Gustavus is probably down this year, still good, but not as good as the 2-3 years ago. Stevens Point seems to be all over the place. Close wins over the MIAC, splits with River Falls and then loses/ties Superior who just lost/tied Eau Claire. Here's hoping Stevens Point beats Plattsburgh so by proxy Superior is the best team in the land.
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