Strong Second Period Powers Syracuse’s Comeback Win in CHA Quarterfinals

By David Edelstein

CitrusTV Ice Hockey Beat Reporter

BUFFALO, N.Y. — It was just five days ago that Syracuse Ice Hockey was still playing for first place in College Hockey America, aiming to get a first-round bye in the upcoming conference tournament. After losing both games on the weekend, SU ended the regular season in third.

Now, the Orange (11-21-3, 10-8-2 CHA) took the long way to the semifinals as a strong second period propelled them to a 4-1 comeback win over sixth-seeded Lindenwood (7-22-4, 3-14-3 CHA) at the Harborcenter in Buffalo, N.Y.

Syracuse defeated Lindenwood in all four regular-season games it played against the Lions this year, outscoring LWU 21-12. Two games went to overtime, both of which were 5-4 victories for SU.

SU started strong through the first eight minutes of play, putting the puck on net eight times while LWU only did twice. But, Lindenwood’s Alexandra Larson scored first 8:34 into the game to give the Lions the 1-0 lead.

Syracuse would go on to score four goals in second frame for one of its biggest periods of the season.

Anonda Hoppner scored 2:19 into the period off an assist by Logan Hicks to tie the game, 1-1. Then, Abby Moloughney almost five minutes later—nine seconds into a power play—off a pass from Jessica DiGirolamo to give the Orange it’s first lead.

Kelli Rowswell and Allie Munroe scored before the second intermission to make the score 4-1.

The only other time Syracuse scored at least four goals in one period this season was against Mercyhurst on February 8th when SU also netted four in the second.

Intensity rose in the third period as Lindenwood tried to avoid playing its final minutes of the season. The Lions committed six of their seven total penalties in the third period for interference, boarding, tripping, slashing, hooking and checking.

Meanwhile, Syracuse—which faced an average 4.6 penalties per game for a total 355 penalty minutes this year—committed just one penalty when DiGirolamo was called for hooking with 9:10 left in regulation.

Syracuse continued its seven-game streak of leading or tying its opponent in shots, outshooting Lindenwood 30-12.

The Orange play in the CHA semifinals tomorrow against second-seeded Mercyhurst at 7:30 p.m.

dzedelst@syr.edu | @DavidZEdelstein