Boxscore
Postgame Press Conference
Photos - Courtesy of Huth Photos
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Justine Fisher's goal with 2:09 left in overtime lifted the Plattsburgh State women's hockey team to a 4-3 win over Gustavus Adolphus in the third-place game at the 2012 NCAA Championships Saturday.
Chelsea VanGlahn made a pass from the boards to Jordan Caldwell who was positioned in front of the net. Caldwell fed the puck to Fisher who beat Gustavus goaltender Danielle Justice on the right side and secured Plattsburgh (20-7-3) a third-place finish in the tournament.
The two teams battled to a scoreless first period before Kylie Klassen put the Cardinals on the board with just 1:24 gone in the middle period. Emma Rutherford and Jenny Kistner assisted on the goal.
Allison Era made it 2-0 Plattsburgh at the 8:42 mark of the second with a shot from the top of the left circle that sailed over Justice's left shoulder. Kistner and Mia Favretto were credited with assists.
Midway through the second period, Helen Giroux drew a tripping penalty and the Gusties (24-4-2) capitalized when Lindsey Hjelm beat Plattsburgh goaltender Sydney Aveson to cut the Cardinal lead to 2-1.
Gustavus tied it up a 9:19 of the third period on a goal from Carolyn Draayer. Kelsey Kennedy took a shot from the point that was blocked by Draayer who picked up the puck, turned around and fired a shot past Aveson.
With 1:33 left in the third, Mia Favretto took a penalty for interference and Gustavus made Plattsburgh pay again when Allie Schwab gave the Gusties a 3-2 with an assist from Amanda Cartony.
But the Cardinals wouldn't quit. WIth 30 seconds to go, the Cardinals pulled Aveson for the extra-attacker. Giroux took a shot that hit the crossbar and hit the back of Justice before landing behind the Gusties goaltender. Teal Gove skated in and pushed the puck across the goal line with 9.6 seconds left on the clock to send the game to overtime.
Overtime seemed fitting as both semifinal games needed extra time to be decided. Fisher leads the Plattsburgh squad with five game-winning goals on the year, but none were bigger than Saturday's. As one of four Cardinals appearing in their last collegiate game, Fisher ensured her graduating class would end their careers with a win. Kylie Klassen and Co-Captains Helen Giroux and Erika Shaubel round of the 2012 senior class.
Gustavus outshot Plattsburgh, 38-35, and went 2-for-5 on the power play. Justice finished the night with 31 saves and ends the year with an 18-3-2 record. Aveson turned away 35 shots to improve to 18-6-2.
Jenny Kistner represented Plattsburgh on the All-Tournament Team named at the conclusion of the National Championship game. Kistner tallied three assists in the two games for the Cardinals.
