NORTHFIELD, Vt.- For the second day in a row, a blueliner for the Norwich Women's Ice Hockey team scored a game winning goal in overtime against a ranked opponent. This time around it was sophomore Lauren Tuzik (Frankfort, Ill.) who potted the game winner in the last minute of the extra period to give Norwich their second victory of the season against Elmira and capturing their first East-West Classic Championship.

In a game where sustained offensive chances were few and far between, the Soaring Eagles came out with the early advantage taking seven of the first eight shots, with most of them being from low danger areas. Eleven minutes in, Elmira looked to be heading to a powerplay, but that was quickly nullified and the two would skate four aside which did not free up any space on the ice.

Soon after both sides returned to full strength, the Cadets opened the scoring. As Rylie McIntyre (Brunswick, Maine) gained the offensive zone by the left-wing boards, the puck was poked off her stick and found its way to the blueline where it was kept alive by Emma Morel (Tournon, France). After the keep, Morel threw a wrist shot that deflected off Marja Linzbichler (Graz, Austria) and into the net to break the ice on Norwich's second shot of the game with six minutes remaining.
The second period was much the same as the first with the two sides not giving the other time or space. Once again, Elmira held the early edge, but Leocadia Clark (Stowe, Vt.) kept the one goal Cadet lead alive. Norwich went to a powerplay of their own, while it did not generate many shots, it generated momentum as they put pressure on Elmira goaltender Leonie Kuehberger, but she was equal to the task keeping the game at one goal after forty minutes.

The defensive struggle continued into the third period and with both goaltenders answering the bell when called upon. After another Soaring Eagle penalty kill was successful, they would tie the game. With four minutes left in regulation, after the initial shot off a zone entry by Emily Lenzen was turned away, Holley Riva collected the rebound and circled behind the net. Riva sent the puck to the blueline for Mandy McCarrick whose shot deflected off a Norwich defender and into the goal evening the score sending the game to overtime.

Both sides had opportunities early in the extra period as things opened up with three skaters on each side. After the conclusion of coincidental minors, and the clock winding towards a shootout, Olivia Boyer (Saint Paul, Minn.) entered the zone on the initial rush. After the puck was knocked free, Madison Anderson (Green Bay, Wis.) won a puck battle along the boards and got the puck to Tuzik at the right faceoff circle. She would skate in and put the puck high to Kuehberger's glove on the short side for the overtime winner, her first goal of the season and collegiate career.

"Sometimes you need to find a way to win, and we did just that tonight," Head Coach Sophie Leclerc Doherty said. "Tuzik made a veteran play when it counted for her first goal-the team was fired up for her. We have a lot to be happy about as we walk away from the first half, and I can't wait to see what this team can do after the break."

After a slow start to the season, Norwich goes into winter break on a five-game winning streak and unbeaten in their last eight games. They will look to continue that momentum into the second half when they host Trinity on Jan 2 at 6 PM. Earning All-Tournament team honors for the Cadets were: Neris Archambault (Pepperell, Mass.) for her two point performance against Plattsburgh State, including the overtime winning goal, Marja Linzbichler for tallying points in both games and all around game, and Tournament MVP for Leocadia Clark for making 55 saves on 57 shots in the two games. 

All-Tournament Team:
Nazareth: #21 Ingrid Holstad 
Plattsburgh State: #37 Zsofia Pazmandi
Elmira: #26 Emma Bradbury
Elmira: #16 Mandy McCarrick
Norwich: #3 Neris Archambault
Norwich: #14 Marja Linzbichler
MVP: Norwich #31 Leocadia Clark