Syracuse Ice Hockey Proves that What goes Up, Must come Down

All good things must come to an end. That saying reigned true in Syracuse Ice Hockey’s (15-23, 11-9 in AHA) 5-2 loss to Mercyhurst (20-15-2, 13-6-1 in AHA) in the third and final game of the AHA semifinals. But don’t let the final score fool you. Things were all tied up halfway through the third period before the Lakers tallied three unanswered goals, two of which were empty netters. ‘Cuse head coach Britni Smith noted that the fight shown from her upperclassmen was something she couldn’t be more proud of.

“Just an immense amount of experience that they bring to these types of situations. The people that we’ve had join our program for a year or two, the amount that they’ve been able to really just find a family with the block S and battle as if they’ve been here their entire careers. It meant as much to them tonight as it did Tatum, who’s been here for five. So just really thankful that they were able to come in and impact our program as much as they did in the year or two that they were here.”

After having the most successful season in her three year tenure with the Orange, Coach Smith is making sure this program continues on its upward climb.

“I think that every year we’ve taken a jump here in the last three and 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.

It truly was a season to remember for the Orange. Goalie Allie Kelly set records left and right, including the most saves in NCAA history. 

SU won a double overtime thriller over Robert Morris in the AHA quarterfinals,

And like I said, it’s the most successful season yet for Coach Britni Smith. Reporting from the Mercyhurst Ice Center, Ben Chadwick, Citrus TV.