The William Smith College ice hockey team and Castleton skated to a 1-1 tie in a New England Hockey Conference contest at The Cooler this afternoon. The Herons are now 3-8-1 overall this season and 2-5-1 in conference play.
Alisa Canney scored for William Smith. Amanda Aalto played all 65 minutes in goal and made 29 saves.
Courtney Gauthier scored the goal for Castleton (5-4-1, 3-2-1). Kirsten DiCicco started in goal for the Spartans and made 29 saves.
Castleton finished the first period with a 9-4 edge in shots on goal. Nancy Benedict had the game’s first scoring chance, but her shot from the left faceoff circle was turned aside by Aalto. Emily Harris’ follow-up attempt was also stopped by Aalto. Laura Hill had a golden scoring opportunity at the six-minute mark, but her shot was stopped by DiCicco. In the closing minutes of the first period, Ryanne Mix had a pair of scoring chances stopped by Amanda Aalto.
The middle period was tightly contested. The Spartans earned a slight 9-8 edge in shots on goal. Emily Martino nearly opened the scoring at the 3-minute mark, but her shot was stopped by DiCicco. The Spartans swung momentum in its favor just past the five-minute mark of the period. Katherine Campoli and Emily Harris had shots turned aside by Aalto. The Spartans also had two shots blocked by a William Smith defender.
The Herons took the lead at the 2:29 mark of the third period. Canney wristed a shot from the slot past DiCicco for her first goal of the season. Brianna Felice and Mackenzie O’Neil were awarded assists on the goal. Two minutes later, Emily Martino fired a shot off of the right goal post. Laura Hill’s rebound attempt was saved by DiCicco.
Castleton tied the game at the 8:53 mark of the third period when Gauthier poked a loose puck across the goal line for her sixth goal of the season. Brooke Greenwood and Darby Palisi were credited with assists on the goal.
The Herons ramped up the pressure following the tying goal but could not sneak a second goal past DiCicco.
Both teams had chances in the overtime period, but the goalies were up to the task, combining for 10 saves. Mia LaPlante had the best scoring chance of the extra session. She intercepted a pass at her own blue line and raced the length of the ice. She attempted to deke the goalie, but DiCicco got her left leg pad on the shot. Thirty seconds later, Faso fired a shot from the left faceoff circle into the logo on DiCicco’s chest.
Both teams finished the game with 30 shots on goal. Castleton was 1-for-4 on the power play and William Smith was 0-for-2 with the extra attacker.
The Herons will be back in action next Saturday, Dec. 11 when it hits the road to begin a six-game road trip. William Smith will take on Williams. Faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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