In the second game of their back-to-back series, St. Lawrence and Boston College skated to a 2-2 tie in an exciting competition.
St. Lawrence took the lead midway through the first period on a goal by assistant captain Kayla Raniwsky. Captain Amanda Boulier took the initial shot, which was stopped by BC netminder Katie Burt. Boulier then collected her own rebound and sent a pass through the crease to Raniwsky, who tipped it in at 10:57 of the first period.
In the middle frame, BC began to play with the puck more often, which resulted in a pair of goals just 49 seconds apart. First, Andie Anastos scored an unassisted goal when she skated down the left wing and fired a quick that beat St. Lawrence goalie Carmen MacDonald high on the blocker side. Then Haley Skarupa finished off a cross-crease pass from Kristyn Capizzano, beating MacDonald on the glove side, to give the Eagles the 2-1 lead at 10:58 of the second period.
Despite giving up two quick goals, St. Lawrence was not defeated. Coach Chris Wells said following the game, “The third period has been our best,” and the Saints did not disappoint in the final 20 minutes. They put eight shots on net during the third period, but one in particular made all the difference.
Trailing 2-1 with just 4:08 remaining in the contest, Kennedy Marchment forced a loose puck and got it on net, where Boulier knocked it past Burt to tie the game at two. The play was reviewed to determine if the puck ever crossed the goal line, and Boulier said after the game that Wells encouragement of his team during the break was crucial. Wells was a full-tilt cheerleader while the referees reviewed the potential game-tying goal.
Boulier said Wells that break was “key to the change in momentum,” saying the Saints were running on adrenaline at that point.
In the end, 60 minutes would not suffice, and the teams headed to OT.
Crowley kept her team calm, telling them to simply play the way they had been playing for the last two periods.
Boulier echoed that sentiment on her bench. “We wanted to keep it simple and keep playing our game”.
The extra time yielded no more offense and the teams finished at a 2-2 tie.
Carmen MacDonald finished with 32 saves, while Burt recorded 18 for the Eagles.
Overall, Wells loved his team resolve and resiliency. “Everything that had to happen, happened,” Wells said.
Crowley was complimentary of the Saints, saying, “It’s always a tough road trip and a tough team to play against. To go home with three points, I’m happy.”
The Saints are back in action next weekend, hosting Robert Morris, while the Eagles play next Sunday at New Hampshire.
