AMHERST, Mass.- The Norwich Women's Ice Hockey team closed out its non-conference slate in statement-making fashion Wednesday night, handing Amherst its first loss of the season with a 2–0 road victory at Orr Rink. The win marked the second straight year the Cadets have dealt Amherst its first defeat of the campaign, as eighth-ranked Norwich once again rose to the challenge against the second-ranked Mammoths.
In a matchup featuring two of the nation's top defensive units, the opening period unfolded like a chess match. Goaltenders Madison Brunet (Timmins, Ont.) and Amherst netminder Natalie Stott set the tone early, trading stops as both teams probed for openings without overcommitting. Chances were limited at five-on-five, with clean exits and disciplined neutral-zone play dictating the pace.
Amherst earned the game's first power play with just under three minutes remaining in the opening frame, but any momentum was quickly neutralized by a Mammoth penalty of its own, keeping the teams at even strength. Norwich took advantage late in the period, ramping up its forecheck and creating several net-front chances in the final minute. Stott made multiple saves on doorstep opportunities, and despite a late flurry that gave Norwich a 14–6 edge in shots, the score remained knotted at 0–0 after one.
The Mammoths emerged with urgency to begin the second period, controlling possession and pushing play into the Norwich zone. Brunet answered every test, calmly turning aside point shots and denying second chances as Amherst looked to break through. Her biggest stop came on a two-on-one rush midway through the period, sliding across the crease to shut the door and keep the game scoreless.
That save proved pivotal. Just minutes later, Norwich capitalized on sustained pressure to seize the lead. Olivia Boyer (Saint Paul, Minn.) kept a play alive at the left point, holding the zone before sending the puck down the wall to Breanna Ricker (Laconia, N.H.). Ricker shook free of her defender and threaded a pass to Geena Cookinham (Gilmanton, N.H.) at the top of the crease. Cookinham made a smooth move around Stott and tucked the puck home with seven minutes remaining in the period, breaking the deadlock and giving the Cadets a 1–0 advantage.
Norwich continued to press after the goal, but Stott settled in to keep the margin at one. At the other end, Brunet matched her counterpart save for save, including a sharp stop late in the frame to preserve the lead. The Cadets carried the slim advantage into the second intermission in a tightly contested battle.
Amherst looked to respond early in the third period and earned another power play, but Norwich's penalty kill delivered under pressure. Brunet made several key saves while the Cadets denied clean zone entries and refused to allow the Mammoths to establish their set-up. A second Amherst man advantage followed later in the period, producing the same result as Norwich clamped down through the neutral zone and forced rushed decisions.
As time ticked away, Amherst pressed desperately for the equalizer. Stott came up with a timely save to keep the Mammoths within striking distance before heading to the bench for an extra attacker in the closing minutes. The Mammoths generated pressure with the additional skater, but Brunet stood tall once again, swallowing shots and calmly steering rebounds away from danger.
The final push was extinguished when Ricker sealed the outcome with an empty-net goal, capping a disciplined road performance. Ricker and Cookinham each finished with a goal and an assist, combining on the game-winning tally that proved to be the difference. In net, Brunet was exceptional, stopping all 25 shots she faced to earn her sixth shutout of the season.
"It was such a gutsy performance by our group tonight," said Head Coach Justin Simpson. "Amherst pushed and tested us hard, and we answered each time. Madi was terrific in the net, and our penalty kill was lights out. I continue to be so impressed with our group and our willingness to do whatever it takes to win."
Norwich now turns its attention back to Little East Conference (LEC) play, returning to the ice on Friday, Jan. 30, when the Cadets travel to New England College for a 6 p.m. puck drop as conference action resumes.
