Ice Hockey Starts 2022 with “Battle at the ‘Burgh” Championship Win
By Chilekasi Adele | @CAdeleTV
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (CitrusTV) – The St. Cloud State Huskies came into Sunday afternoon’s tournament championship off a comeback overtime win against Penn State. Taylor Lind scored the game-winner in the extra period, capping off a three-goal rally for a team down 3-1 in the third period.
There was no such comeback the next day, however, as Syracuse — who came into the 3rd period with a 3-2 lead — added two goals to solidify a 5-2 win. In the first period, St. Cloud State sophomore forward Emma Gentry got the Huskies an early lead, making it 1-0.
Syracuse would rattle off three straight goals after that, however. About midway through the first, defenseman Shelby Calof scored on the power play to tie the game at one. About three minutes later, Freshman Sarah Marchand scored her sixth goal of the season.
Abby Moloughney added to the scoring late in the period, netting a power-play goal to put SU up 3-1. It was the senior’s third goal of the tournament. Moloughney scored two goals in Saturday’s game against Boston University.
The Orange did not escape the period without conceding another goal, however. Huskies forward Courtney Hall made it 3-2 Syracuse, scoring with 12 seconds remaining in the first period.
St. Cloud State went cold after that point, not scoring for the remaining 40 minutes and 12 seconds of the game. Syracuse didn’t score in the second period but tacked on two goals in the final 20 minutes of regulation to solidify their tournament championship victory.
Goaltender Arielle DeSmet had another strong afternoon between the pipes, only allowing two goals. The Senior Transfer made 31 total saves Sunday.
With about 10 minutes in regulation, sophomore defenseman Hannah Johnson scored her first goal of the season to make it 4-2 Syracuse. After St. Cloud State pulled goaltender Sanni Ahola for an extra attacker with 3:20 left, Victoria Klimek put the game out of reach with an empty-net goal, making it 5-2 Syracuse.
Earlier Sunday afternoon, Penn State, Syracuse’s CHA rival, captured 3rd place in the “Battle at the ‘Burgh,” beating Boston University in the tournament’s consolation game.
Syracuse will head to Mankato, Minn. to play Minnesota State on Friday, Jan. 7, and Saturday, Jan. 8. Friday’s game is set for 4 p.m. Eastern Time, while Saturday’s matchup is set for 3 p.m. Eastern.
