The aptly named ‘trap’ game reared up this week, further clouding the normal thought procedures that characterize the top 10. The ECAC-East provided a few surprising finishes, while the NESCAC and NCHA also delivered their share of interesting twists. Heading into the break, only Plattsburgh (9-0-1) remains unbeaten following previously unbeaten St. Scholastica’s most recent defeat.
Unheralded Bisons trip Valiants
No. 10 Manhattanville ran into a buzz saw of sorts in the opening game of a home-and-home set with ECAC-East foe Nichols (2-6-0 overall). Friday night at the Terry Connors Rink, Nichols received a pair of goals from Grace Murphy. The second, a power-play tally, arrived with a scant 12 seconds remaining in regulation, propelling the Bisons to a 4-3 triumph. The Valiants’ loss halted a three-game win streak. Nichols improved to 2-3-0 in conference and 2-6-0 overall. Manhattanville was stung by a power play that was rendered a non-factor in an 0-12 performance. The Valiants outshot the Bisons, 53-30. Saturday afternoon, the Valiants, bolstered by junior forward Alla Traun’s sixth score of the year, hung on for a 1-0 win over the Bisons.
Mules struggle against unranked Seahawks, Huskies
Three weeks ago, Colby tagged highly ranked Bowdoin with a pair of one-goal losses. Since then, the Mules have gone 0-2-1 in their last three outings. Colby managed a 3-3 tie with visiting Salve Regina on Friday, and fell to Southern Maine on the road the following afternoon. Sophomore Megan Fortier had a pair of power-play goals in the third period. The loss to the Huskies continues to be a bright spot for Colby, but the penalty killing unit has slipped to 67.9 percent. In conference play, the Mules are being outshot by a touch over 14 shots per game.
Massachusetts-Boston joins upset weekend
Southern Maine had troubles of its own in Friday’s 3-0 loss to Massachusetts-Boston. Beacons’ goalie Casey Schaejbe earned her first career shutout in the upset. Mass.-Boston opened to the tune of a 1-6-1 record in the early going, but has since tacked up quality wins over the aforementioned Colby and Southern Maine, and a 0-0 tie with Trinity on the road on Saturday.
Saints’ string snapped
St. Scholastica was back at scoring goals at an above-average rate in the opener of its weekend series, with Adrian taking a 7-3 win in the process. The offensive fireworks did not carry over however, as the Bulldogs came back nicely the following afternoon, knocking home a pair of late third-period goals to nab a 3-2 win over the Saints, who came into the week at No. 8. The Adrian triumph snapped a 10-game unbeaten string for the Saints. The clubs posted an interesting array of statistics over the two games. The Saints registered five power-play goals in the opening game, including three straight in the first period in wrangling the momentum from the visitors. In all, the two foes combined for 32 penalties for 97 minutes over the two games. In the opener, the Bulldogs overcame a 2-1 deficit in the third period with goals by Kelsey Kusch and freshman forward Sarah Shureb. Shureb’s game winner, a power-play goal, came with 19 seconds remaining in regulation.
Previously ranked St. Norbert splits
Jenna Brown’s third period goal was the tipping point in Concordia’s (Wisc.) 2-1 victory over St. Norbert on Saturday. The win salvaged a split with the Green Knights and kept the Falcons a point ahead of fifth place St. Norbert in the NCHA standings.
