Re: NESCAC season 2014-2015
Light snow was falling in Northfield this evening, but the faithful making it to Kreitzberg witnessed a spirited contest with the Cadets besting the visiting Lord Jeffs in the closing minutes. The 1st saw both goalies with fine plays keeping the score tied at nil. Amherst's Evans made a very nice left pad save denying Moore from a low angle at 10:20. Norwich's Robert answered with a neat blocker deflection to stone Salmon who was in with open space for a backhand from right of the crease. Amherst had started the 1st slowly but was gaining time in their offensive zone as the period wound down. The 2nd opened with the first penalties of the game. Each side took a penalty in their offensive zone (I am sure there was joy on both benches). Amherst had the first opportunity and was getting the puck to the net but was unable to get a forward pouncing on a loose puck. Norwich capitalized on their powerplay when Anderson slipped a pass from low right wing across the goal mouth to Schwenzfeier at Evans' stickside post for the score into open net. Amherst's Martin then made a play stepping up on a clearing pass, holding the zone and breaking in 2x1 only to be tripped. On the ensuing powerplay Tank won the puck passing to Flom on the left half boards. Flom fed Ryan on the blue line and she drifted to her right for an open alley and hit the net with a long high shot to tie the score at 1-1. Schwenzfeier broke the tie collecting a loose puck on the right of her D zone and lugging it on a clean break away, taking her time on her forehand, dangling, drawing Evans to the puck and then deftly tucking it into the short gloveside of the net. Norwich was playing in the Lord Jeff zone as the 2nd came to an end, but was unable to extend their 2-1 lead. The 3rd opened with Sullivan tying the score for Amherst, stuffing the puck home as it hung in the crease. Almost immediately Norwich answered, and apologies to Cross and Amato, but I (and a few others I asked about the play after the game) totally missed it. The Lord Jeffs cashed in a powerplay goal to tie midway in the 3rd. Flom dropped a nice feed from the left wing back to Ryan center ice inside the blueline and her drive made it through traffic on net. Robert made the initial stop but Tank jammed it home for the 3-3 tie. Following an Amherst time out, Norwich controlled the puck in their offensive zone, cycling in the left wing corner with Anderson getting the puck to Schwenzfeier who drew D advancing on net and then fed Joyce in an open space for a low shot from the edge of the left circle, in under Evans. Amherst had a last rush as time ran out with Evans off for the extra attacker. Salmon broke in zone deep down right wing and she got a pass in to Harris, but the attempt was just wide of Robert's gloveside post and the buzzer ended things with Cadets on top 4-3. I thought refs Savoie and Kaselouskas did a nice job calling only 6 penalties in a game that was physical and competitive but was never out of their control.
