Women's Ice Hockey: Norwich Skates Past Salve Regina, 5-3
NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Kelsey Cone scored two third-period goals, including the game-winner less than one minute into the final frame, to help lift the Norwich University women's ice hockey team to a 5-3 victory over Salve Regina in an ECAC East contest Saturday afternoon at Kreitzberg Arena.
Norwich (10-7-1, 9-5-1 ECAC East) is unbeaten in its last six games, and the Cadets have opened up a healthy six-point lead over second-place MIT in the ECAC East Division B.
Cone scored an unassisted short-handed goal just 48 seconds into the third period to give the Cadets a 4-3 lead. Cone added an insurance tally when she scored a power play goal at 12:26 of the third period. The goal, Cone's 11th of the season, was assisted by Sophie Leclerc and Amanda Wilks.
Norwich got off to a fast start in the first period, jumping out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Wilks and Melissa Rundlett. Wilks' goal, which was set up by Leclerc, came on the power play at the 10:41 mark. Rundlett struck just 55 seconds later when she scored off an assist from Julie Fortier at the 11:36 mark.
Salve Regina (12-6-1, 9-6-0 ECAC East) came storming back, scoring the next three goals to take a 3-2 lead. Kathleen Roche started the Seahawks' comeback when she scored at the 16:06 mark of the first off an assist from Caitlin Campbell.
Salve Regina then moved in front for the first time all day with a pair of power play goals early in the second period. Roche netted her second marker of the game off a pass from Kendra Andrie at the 1:07 mark to tie the score. Then, at the 8:12 mark, Drew Cherniski scored following a feed from Sarah Small to put the Seahawks in front, 3-2.
Norwich tied the game at 3-3 late in the third when Leclerc converted a pass from Cone at the 16:06 mark. Leclerc and Cone worked the two-on-one play to perfection, and Leclerc finished it by flipping the puck past the Salve Regina goaltender.
Norwich outshot Salve Regina, 29-19, in the game. The Cadets' power play went 2-for-9, while the Seahawks' power play was 2-for-7.
Norwich returns to action on Tuesday, Feb. 3, when the Cadets travel to Rutland, Vt., to take on ECAC East rival Castleton State College. Faceoff is slated for 7 p.m.