PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. –
Bridget Orr (Excelsior, Minn./North American Hockey Academy) notched the overtime game-winner, willing the No.6 Plattsburgh State women's ice hockey team to an opening round win in the Cardinal/Panther Classic over visiting St. Norbert. After three-and-a-half minutes of scoreless action in the extra period, Orr scored her second goal of the season to lift the Cardinals to the Cardinal/Panther Classic Championship game tomorrow, Dec. 1 in the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena.
Plattsburgh State is currently ranked No. 6 in the USCHO.com Division III Top-15 Poll, while St. Norbert is receiving votes, currently sitting as the first team outside of the top 15.
Orr notched the game-winner on Saturday, while
Emily Kasprzak (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Pittsburgh Penguins Elite) had the first goal of the game in the second period.
Mattie Norton (Glen Carbon, Ill./St. Louis Lady Blues),
Kayson Ruegge (Edmond, Okla./Philadelphia Jr. Flyers), and
Ciara Wall (Somerville, Mass./New Hampshire) all had assists on the night, while
Chloe Lewis (Monson, Mass./Northwood School) made 22 saves in over 63 minutes of action for the win.
The Cardinals dominated the shot battle thanks to a huge second period, outshooting the Green Knights 35-23 in over 63 minutes of game time. Neither team was able to take advantage of the power play, with the Cards going 0-2 and St. Norbert going 0-4.
Plattsburgh State moves to 5-1-1 with the win and will take on No. 3 Middlebury in the Cardinal/Panther Classic Championship game, tomorrow, Dec. 1 at 5 p.m in the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena. St. Norbert sustains their first loss of the season, falling to 8-1 and will take on Endicott in the tournament's consolation game tomorrow at 2 p.m also in the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena.
The first period saw both the Cards and Green Knights come out strong, with Plattsburgh putting 10 shots on goal and St. Norbert nine. Both netminders stood tall, however, keeping the game scoreless as Plattsburgh held the Green Knights shotless in their only attempt on the advantage in the first period.
In the second stanza, the Cardinal offense went into another gear, outshooting the opposition 17-2 in the period and grabbing the lead. A penalty kill to begin the period jumpstarted the Cardinal offense, as they were able to get several chances throughout the 20 minutes of action. After the first Plattsburgh power play saw two shots get saved, the Cards grabbed the lead with Kasprzak's second goal of the season at the 11:55 mark. Ruegge started the chance for the Cardinals as she had a highlight reel attempt on goal get saved and deflected to the back boards after a Wall second attempt. Kasprzak was able to grab the loose puck and shoveled the shot in on the doorstep giving the lead to Plattsburgh State.
Down a goal heading into the final period, the Green Knights were able to create some more opportunities, outshooting Plattsburgh State 8-7 in the stanza. Strong defense kept the lead for the Cards through the first 15 minutes, as they were able to kill two power play chances in that span. Just after the 15-minute mark however, a turnover at the blueline of the St. Norbert defensive zone started a breakaway opportunity, as Natalie Hogan was able to finish a breakaway chance off a Jo Mahlum assist, tying the game at a goal apiece.
The score remained tied through the end of the end of regulation, sending the game to three-on-three overtime.
The five-minute extra stanza saw four shots on goal for the Green Knights and just one for Plattsburgh, but the Cardinals made the one count. After a save on the other end from Lewis, Norton pushed the puck up the ice and found Orr skating towards the blueline into the offensive zone. After evading one defender, Orr had a clear line to the goal where she skated at the goalie, holding onto to the puck, before shooting it up and over the Green Knight goaltender before she could cover it up and knock it away to give Plattsburgh the win.
Keira Markell made 33 saves over 63-plus minutes, taking the loss in net for St. Norbert.
