A Season to Remember for Syracuse Ice Hockey
By Ben Chadwick | @BChad214
All good things must come to an end, and there was a whole lot of good for Syracuse Ice Hockey (15-23, 11-9 in AHA) this season. SU’s overall and conference records were its best since the 2021-2022 season, one in which the Orange won the CHA and punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. But if I told you that just a couple of months ago, you’d think I was crazy.
In late January, Syracuse was a measly 7-20 and riding an 8 game losing skid to start the new year. After suffering that eighth loss to RIT on the road, ‘Cuse Head Coach Britni Smith made it clear that the problem didn’t lie with her squad’s passion or effort.
“I think the biggest thing for us is just trying to eliminate the roller coaster” said coach Smith. “In a 60-minute game, you’re not going to have complete possession or domination, but being able to really recognize when they’ve started to gain that momentum and simplify our game. In terms of a complete 60, I don’t think we had it tonight, but I don’t think it’s a matter of lack of effort or ability. I think it’s just kind of recognizing those moments and situations, and again, having a young team, those are lessons we’ve got to learn.”
The Orange never forgot those tough lessons and they aced the rest of the season. Syracuse went on to win six of their next seven games to close out the regular season with a bang and that finale against Mercyhurst in Erie, Pennsylvania couldn’t have gone better for ‘Cuse.
“I thought this weekend we played really good hockey” said coach Smith. “And to be rewarded with a win, like I said yesterday going into playoffs feeling like we’re playing our best right now, is important to us.”
SU’s 4-2 victory over Mercyhurst broke an 11-game and three year curse in which the Orange could never best the Lakers. With that momentum heading into the conference tournament, SU unexpectedly needed every ounce of strength it could muster up. Syracuse went to double overtime in its home game against Robert Morris in the AHA Quarterfinals. When it seemed like no end was in sight, SU’s shortest player rose to the occasion. Freshman Peyton Armstrong deked a defender and wristed in the game-winning goal, although she couldn’t quite remember much after the victory.
“It landed on my stick and I honestly blacked out a bit,” Armstrong remarked. “I didn’t even know I scored until everyone came on the ice. But apparently it went in and it was so hype to celebrate with the team after.”
After punching its ticket to the semifinals, Syracuse packed their bags and hit the road for Erie once again. In game one of the three-game series against Mercyhurst, ‘Cuse goalie Allie Kelley put on a masterclass in front of the net. The grad student saved all 47 shots on goal to lead her team to a 1-0 shutout win. However, the Lakers bested the Orange in the next two, putting an end to their season.
“I think that every year we’ve taken a jump,” said Coach Smith after the final loss. “It’s something that we continue to look for, you know, that next group that can come in and continue to push, build upon what we’ve left with our graduating seniors and all the work they’ve done. And, you know, I’m sure we’ll be excited to get back to it. But for right now, I think it’s just really, you know, living in the moment and the people who have done so much for us this season. And when it’s time to look forward to next year, we will.”
While it may not have ended in the way many had hoped, it was still an unforgettable season for Syracuse. Goalie Allie Kelley racked up 1,238 saves this season which is a new career-high for her, led the nation in total saves, and is the most an SU goalie has ever had in a single season. But most importantly, Kelley is the record holder for the most career saves in NCAA Men’s and Women’s history. The grad student was named to the All-AHA second team while forward Bryn Saarela and defender Jessica Cheung made the All-AHA third team. Grad student Tatum White was also named the AHA Scholar Athlete of the Year as she maintains her 4.0 GPA with her eyes set on becoming a doctor. White also captained the Team IMPACT effort as Syracuse welcomed in five-year old Emmy Phillips onto its team with open arms. Last but certainly not least, Head Coach Britni Smith was runner-up for AHA Coach of the Year after having her most successful season yet at the helm of the Orange.
