Syracuse Ice Hockey Shows Out in Regular Season Finale

It’s finally time for the AHA postseason, and no team is more excited than Syracuse Ice Hockey (13-21, 11-9 in AHA) after their 4-2 win in the regular season finale against Mercyhurst (18-14-2, 13-6-1 in AHA). Now, the X-Factor in this game should come as a surprise to no one. Goalie Allie Kelley, who also is the NCAA’s leader in all-time saves, posted her 10th 40-save performance here today. ‘Cuse coach Brittany Smith believes that Kelley’s value to this team is immeasurable.

“Like I said in the third period they’re chasing it a little bit. So they’re pushing a little bit more and you expect to have to kind of face a couple more shots, a higher shot volume. But you know, as always, Allie Kelley up to the task when we’re needing her to kind of make those big saves late in the game. She’s finding ways to do it.”

Now, wins against Mercyhurst aren’t a common occurrence for SU. With today’s win, the Orange broke an 11-game losing streak to the Lakers, their last win dating back to February of 2022. Coach Smith said that a win like today’s couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.

“I thought this weekend we played really good hockey 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. Nice little opportunity as well with just a single game next week, a longer week of practice so you know for them to be able to kind of have a fun practice but obviously be dialed in ready to go for next weekend.”

With the regular season all wrapped up, Syracuse looks ahead to the AHA playoffs. Their first matchup comes against Robert Morris (8-23-3, 2-16-2 in AHA) in the quarterfinals, a team SU swept in the regular season by a combined 13 goals. That game is this Saturday. Reporting from the Mercyhurst Ice Center, Ben Chadwick, Citrus TV.