Jessie-Gerelli, Golden Bears Shutout the Colonels 2-0

Canton, Mass. (February 11, 2023) - The Golden Bears picked up and skated to Canton, Massachusetts, for a Saturday afternoon matchup with the Curry Colonels. The Golden Bears were coming off a big win at home against Nichols and looked to get the win streak to three games. Allison Walker and Maddie Pope kept that idea in mind and helped the Golden Bears reach it, with both players notching a goal.

Records:

• Western New England: 14-7-3 (9-6-2)
• Nichols College: 8-13-2 (5-9-2)

How it Happened:

Hannah Berkowitz started the game with a faceoff circle win for Curry, and the game was underway. Curry goaltender Soleil Archambeault made the first save of the day. Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made one moments after that. The Golden Bears got off to another fast start as they scored 5:45 into the game. Allison Walker took the puck away from the Curry skaters on the right side of the net in the Golden Bears' attacking zone. Walker then skated towards the net and snapped a wrist shot that squeaked by the goalie. The Golden Bears now led 1-0 early in the first period of play. With 6:56 left to play in the first period, WNE drew a penalty and went on the power play. However, 19 seconds later, WNE was called for a penalty, ending the power play. Both goalies made a save during the 4-on-4 play. After a period that saw Jessie-Gerelli make 11 saves and Archambeault make eight came to an end, the Golden Bears had the lead by a score of 1-0.

Berkowitz won a second opening faceoff to open up the second period of play. Two minutes later, WNE went on the power play hoping for a big goal. The Golden Bears would get five shots on net, but Archambeault was there each time to shut them down. Four minutes after that penalty ended, the Golden Bears were back on the power play. Four shots on goal this time, but the same result. Archambeault was not letting another puck get into the back of the net. That was until Maddie Pope was able to get it past with 4:58 left in the second period. Alexa Paoli sent the puck along the boards to Maggie Holt, who saw Pope skating up the ice. Holt found Pope in stride, and Pope skated into the WNE attacking size, set the feet, and snapped a wrister right past the left arm of Archambeault. That doubled the lead for the Golden Bears and made the score 2-0 with less than five minutes remaining in the second period. That is how the second period would end. Jessie-Gerelli made eight saves on eight shots. Archambeault made 13 saves on 14 shots. 

The third period started with a Maggie Holt faceoff win. 3:47 into the final period of play, the Golden Bears were called for a penalty. Three shots went on net, but Jessie-Gerelli made each save. Then, the Golden Bears were able to flip the script and get a shot on Archambeault, but it was saved. 11:32 into the final period of play, Kelly Cronin thought she had the third goal of the night. However, it pinged off the pipe and away from net. Curry would pull their goalie from the net with over two minutes left. Then, they were called for a penalty, and WNE went on the power play. With 35 seconds left, the goalie left again, but that would be some of the game's last action. WNE got their third straight win by a score of 2-0. Both goalies finished with 31 points, but Jessie-Gerelli came out of the game with a shutout victory.

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears traveled to Canton, Massachusetts, for a CCC tilt with the Colonels of Curry College.
• Allison Walker scored 5:45 into the first period. The goal was unassisted.
• Maddie Pope scored with 4:58 left in the second period. Maggie Holt and Alexa Paoli were credited with the assists.
• Rieley Jessie-Gerelli recorded 31 saves and was credited with the shutout over Curry. That is the sixth shutout by the Golden Bears this season.
• WNE won the game 2-0.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears will return home as they host UNE on WNE Hockey Fights Cancer night. That game will be on Saturday, February 18, at 7:00 pm. 
• The Colonels will be on the ice next Friday, February 17, at 7:00 pm. That game will be at home at the Canton Ice House against Suffolk.