Syracuse Ice Hockey’s Playoff Freight Train Rolls On

In game one of the AHA semifinals, Syracuse Ice Hockey (15-21, 12-9 in AHA) goalie Allie Kelley proved that luck will never outweigh skill. In SU’s 1-0 victory over Mercyhurst (18-15-2, 13-6-1 in AHA), the grad student saved all 43 shots on net, the most she’s ever had in a shutout win. And although she’s grown very used to performances like these out of Kelley ‘Cuse head coach Britni Smith says that her contributions never go unnoticed.

“Yeah, it’s huge for us. And obviously, that’s something that, like I said, we’ve kind of grown to expect from her. And I think that that’s a huge compliment as a goaltender that that’s not a one-off for her, that performance. That’s something that she kind of does game in and game out. So again, I think we’d like to limit their shots. But for the most part, I felt like their offense really came from those scrambles in front. And she was able to hold herself pretty strong in the crease. So just maybe trying to clean that up a little bit. But yeah, she did a great job.”

After losing 12 straight to the Lakers, the Orange have now won the last two. However, Coach Smith is making sure her squad keeps taking things one step at a time. 

“Yeah, the focus pretty much since playoffs has just been next game. That’s our focus at this time of the year. All that’s important is your next game. So really not obviously, you know, being excited, living, living through the moment tonight. But as soon as we get to it and get back to the hotel, it’s time to just put our focus to tomorrow’s game.”

In less than 24 hours, both squads return right here for Game 2 of the three-game series at 2 p.m. With a win, Syracuse advances to the AHA Championship. With a loss, Game 3 on Sunday. Reporting from the Mercyhurst Ice Center, Ben Chadwick, Citrus TV.