Women’s Ice Hockey Ties for Second Time In Program History

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (January 11, 2022) – The Western New England women's ice hockey team came back from a goal down in the third period to pick up a 3-3 tie with Johnson & Wales University (R.I.) on Tuesday night. Western New England took 35 shots, including three in overtime in the tie. 

Records:

• Western New England: 5-7-2
• Johnson & Wales: 6-6-1

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears got off to the start they were looking for on Tuesday night by picking up the game's first goal. Erin McGlynn would assist on Alyssa Murphy's goal at the 8:55 mark of the first period to give the Golden Bears an early 1-0 lead. Western New England would take control of the next ten minutes before the Wildcats were able to tally a goal with ten seconds remaining in the period to head into the locker room tied at one. Johnson & Wales would outshoot WNE 12-9 in the first period. 

The Wildcats would score 12 minutes into the second period to take their first lead of the game. Kaylin Garner would score on an assist from Hannah Tracy to put Johnson & Wales ahead 2-1. The Wildcats would take that lead into the third period after putting 15 shots up on Sierra Dennis in the period. Dennis made 14 second period saves and 25 saves through two periods. 

The Golden Bears would fight back early in the third period when Kelly Yorkey found the back of the net off assists from both Julia Roman and Terri Siolas to even the score at two. Western New England would draw a penalty just 39 seconds after the goal from Yorkey and would quickly take advantage of that opportunity at goal. Alexa Paoli would be successful at moving a pass to teammate Abby Hay who then found Katie Cronin who was able to cash in on the powerplay chance to give WNE their second lead of the game, this time at 3-2. The two goals would be scored 52 seconds apart. Johnson & Wales would score a powerplay goal of their own just 1:08 after the Cronin goal to again tie the game at three. 

Both WNE and JWU would exchange shots on goal down the stretch of the third period, though neither team would be able to find goal, forcing the game into a five-minute overtime period. Western New England would take three shots in the overtime session, while Johnson & Wales would take two, both saved by Dennis. The Golden Bears would not be able to find the back of the net in the five minutes of play, resulting in a 3-3 tie between the two teams.

Inside the Crease:

• Sierra Dennis came away with a 41 save night for the Golden Bears, including a best 14 save second period. Dennis now has 100 saves in her four starts on the season. 
• Alyssa Murphy scored her team leading 8^th goal of the season in the tie on Tuesday night. Murphy now has nine points on the season. 
• The Golden Bears had six powerplay opportunities on the night, converting a goal on one of their six chances. JWU scored on one of their two chances. 
• The Golden Bears and Wildcats particpated in an unoffical shootout after the contest's end, with WNE coming out with the unoffical victory. The game will go down as a tie in the offical records. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE returns home to face Suffolk University on Friday, January 15 at 7:00 pm from the Olympia Ice Center. 
• JWU heads to Norwich on the same date for a 6:00 pm faceoff.