Waidacher’s wicked weekend
High scoring sisters Isabel and Nina Waidacher rendered the St. Scholastica record book in need of serious revision after an abundant display of offense in the Saints’ initial look at NCHA action. Isabel finished with 15 (six goals, nine assists) points in the two-game home set with Finlandia at Mars Lakeview Arena, while Nina, who led the conference with 40 points a year ago, finished with 13 on eighth goals and five helpers in 10-0, and 10-2 victories past the Lions. The Arosa Switzerland, pair, two-thirds of the Waidecher trio that includes senior Monika, had a hand in 16 of 20 goals for the weekend. St. Scholastica improved to 3-0-1 overall
Isabel, a freshman and a member of the Swiss National U-18 squad and a much-heralded addition to coach Jackie MacMillan’s rapidly rising program, gave an early indication of what was to transpire in regard to the record-setting weekend by scoring the first three goals of Friday’s action. Her three even-strength scores transpired within a window of 8:50. Isabel put a pair of power-play goals on the score sheet in the latter two periods for the Saints, who were able to get 20 of their 54 bids on the Lions goaltending duo of Breanna Hynes and Casey Schwartz while skating with an advantage. Nina followed up her eight-point afternoon on Friday with her own take on a five-score performance. Her final three goals of the day were of the power play variety, and were assisted by Isabel and St. Paul, Minn., native Michelle Fischer. Fischer also added a five point effort to her statistical profile.
The Saints have outscored the Lions (0-3-0, 0-3-0) 44-2 over their last five matchups.
Cougars youth infuse sweep
Chatham, 1-15-0 a year ago in ECAC West, delivered a major hit on Buffalo State with a pair of solid road wins. The Cougars prevailed 3-0 in the opener and 5-4 in overtime in securing the sweep. Brianna Rice, a freshman from Newmarket, Ont., collected both game-winning goals for Chatham. Rice has five goals thus far, eclipsing the four compiled by 2012-13 team leader, senior Casey Morfield. Freshman Tara Treloar turned aside 23 shots in the win on Friday.
Rice put forth a fou- point afternoon in the overtime win, the decisive goal arriving 4:22 into extra time with the aid of freshman blue liner McKenzie Haskins. Chatham compiled a 2-1-1 overall record on the four-game swing that kicked off the season. Six straight home games are in store for the Cougars, starting with two against nonconference foe Canton on Nov. 15 and 16.
Elmira regaining form?
After a trying East-West Showcase to commence the season, Elmira was back in the win column after taking two of a home-and-home set with Utica. The Soaring Eagles conceded the first goal before leveling the result with a power-play goal late in the first off the stick of Brooke Wilgosh. After a scoreless second period, Tanis Lamoureux provided the game-winner 2:23 into the third. Lamoureux later notched a pair of helpers later in the third in sealing Elmira’s win. On Sunday at Utica’s Memorial Stadium, coach Dean Jackson’s crew forged a 2-0 first period lead on goals by Erin Weston and Cassidy Delainey before turning it over to goalie Lisa Marshall, who stopped 25 shots. Marshall has a .930 save percentage in hand after this week’s action, and has started all four games.
St. Norbert, Lake Forest settle in closing moments
St. Norbert was outshot, 8-1, in the overtime period and 48-34 in the game, but held on, settling for a 3-3 result with Lake Forest at the Cornerstone Community Center. The Green Knights forced extra play with 60 seconds in regulation on a six-on-five goal by Rachel Koppang. Lake Forest’s power-play unit was 3-for-7 on the afternoon, while the hosts managed just a lone goal in six chances. In what was a near mirror image, particularly from a statistical view, St. Norbert prevailed, snapping a three-all tie with five ticks remaining in the third on a Taylor Giaci score. Green Knights goalie Kaley Gibson collected 40 saves in the triumph after a 45-save effort the previous afternoon.
Yellow Jackets take steps to ascend in USCHO poll
No. 9 Wisconsin-Superior took a win and a tie in a pair of tight nonconference road games with No. 3 Gustavus Adolphus. The Golden Gusties join Manhattanville, Elmira, Wisconsin-River Falls, and Norwich in the group of top 10 teams who have undergone some puzzling losses in the opening two weeks of the season.
