Golden Bears and Colonels Battle to 1-1 Tie

Canton, Mass. (November 18, 2022) - After picking up a massive overtime win against the number 11 ranked Endicott College last Saturday, the Golden Bears returned to the ice against Curry college at the Canton Ice House. The Colonels were coming off a home win against UNE 2-1. Both teams had been playing well and hoped to win the big conference game.

Records:

• Western New England: 4-2-1 (2-2-1)
• Curry College: 3-2-1(1-1-1)

How it Happened:

The conference matchup started with a faceoff win by Maddie Pope. Curry started the game by putting pressure on the Golden Bears early and often. However, the defense stood strong, and WNE goalie Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made saves when forced to. 4:20 into the game, WNE had a big opportunity. Emma McGuane got a shot off that got past the goalie but rang off the post. WNE was able to answer the early pressure from Curry by getting multiple shots on Curry's goalie, Anna Langton. With 4:08 left in the first period, the Colonels went on the power play. After three saves from Jessie-Gerelli on the penalty kill, Curry broke through for the game's first goal. After a save from Jessie-Gerelli, Danielle Stein got the puck back and put it into the back of the net. Tommi Nash and Seneca Urban were credited with the assists. Curry led 1-0 after one period of play. Curry led the shot department by a total of ten shots to six after the first period came to an end. 

The second period started differently than the first, with Curry winning the opening faceoff. After multiple attempts saved by both goalies, with almost ten minutes remaining in the second period, WNE went on the power play. Unfortunately, though, no shots were put on Langton. However, the Golden Bears kept the pressure on and got shots on Langton after the fact. Another power play opportunity arose for the Golden Bears with about five minutes left in the second. This time WNE got four shots on Langton, but Langton kept the Golden Bears scoreless. The period ended with Curry still leading 1-0. This period was different with shots, though. WNE took 15 to Curry's two. WNE was close on a few opportunities and could feel the momentum shifting in their favor.

The third period started with a Curry faceoff win. However, the Golden Bears would continue attacking the Curry defense. They piled on the shots hoping to break through. Langton kept them at bay for the majority of the third period. WNE had another power play opportunity early in the third period. It would not succeed, though, as Langton made all three saves that were on goal. Curry even tested Jessie-Gerelli twice during the power play with short-handed opportunities. Curry gave WNE one last power play opportunity almost eight minutes into the third period. WNE was unsuccessful. Just as the momentum seemed to turn back Curry's direction, the Golden Bears pulled through. After a turnover in the Curry end, Maddie Pope had the puck on Langton's left side. Pope pushed the puck just past Langton and into the back of the net for the equalizer. WNE was tied 1-1 with Curry with 7:55 left in the third period. After both teams saw opportunities squashed by the opposing goaltender, the two sides finished 1-1 and went to overtime. WNE kept the shots coming and led Curry ten shots to six in the third period.

Curry started overtime on the power play after a WNE penalty late in the third period. After winning the faceoff, Curry skated down the ice and almost ended the game on an Ella Altiman shot that went off the pipe. Each goalie would make one more save during the rest of overtime, which in a hard-fought 1-1 draw. WNE was able to outshoot Curry 32 to 19 after starting the game down in shots. 

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears traveled to the Canton Ice House to battle with Curry College.
• Danielle Stein opened up the scoring with 2:09 left in the first period on a power play. Stein was assisted on the play by Tommi Nash and Seneca Urban.
• Maddie Pope scored with 7:55 left in the third period to tie the game 1-1. 
• Anna Langton made 31 saves on 32 shots faced.
• Rieley Jessie-Gerelli finished the game with 18 saves on 19 shots that were on goal.
• The Golden Bears and Colonels tied after one overtime period. The final score was 1-1.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The two teams will be back in action on Sunday, November 20, at 6:00 pm. The teams will play at the Olympia Ice Center, as the Golden Bears host Cub Club Invite Night.