The Oswego State women's ice hockey team (10-10-1, 8-5-0 ECAC West) made a late charge in the third period, but came up short in a 2-0 loss to third-ranked Elmira (19-3-1, 13-2-0) Friday night, Feb. 8, at the Campus Center Arena.
The Lakers skated 5-on-3 in the final 1:47 of regulation, and pulled their goalie in the final minute for three extra attackers, but were unable to put the puck in the net.
The squads close out the series tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. on Senior Day for the Lakers.
The Soaring Eagles dealt the first blow of the game with 14 seconds remaining on an Oswego State cross-checking penalty. Sam Curk took a shot from the center of the blue line that was deflected twice by Ashton Hogan and then Caitlin Medcalf before the puck got past Laker goalie Bridget Smith (So., Hamburg, N.Y.) at 5:43 in the first.
Oswego State closed out the first period strong, drawing a holding the stick penalty from Elmira that allowed it to start the second with an extra attacker. However, the Lakers were unable to level the score. It was a back-and-forth affair throughout most of the season period until the latter stages with the Soaring Eagles started dictating play in their offensive zone.
The increased pressure led to Elmira's second goal when Erin Weston buried a rebound at the 17:05. Ella Stewart set up the play with a slap shot from the point that was stopped by Smith, but the puck landed right on Weston's stick as she was camped out on the backdoor step. It proved to be the lone goal of the stanza for the visitors, who owned a 14-3 advantage in shots on goal in the frame.
Oswego State battled to get back into the game in the third period. Its efforts led to a pair of Elmira penalties in the final two minutes, giving the Lakers a two-skater advantage for 1:47. Oswego State later pulled Smith for another extra skater, but did not score the equalizer as the Soaring Eagles held on for the 2-0 victory.
The Lakers finished the game 0-for-5 on the power play, while Elmira went 1-for-3. Smith ended up with 24 saves in the losing effort. Soaring Eagle goalie Lauren Sullivan registered 20 saves for her tenth win of the season.
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