The fifth-seeded William Smith ice hockey team was edged by top-seeded Norwich 3-2 in the third overtime of a New England Hockey Conference semifinal contest at Kreitzberg Arena this afternoon. With the loss, the Herons conclude their season with an 11-14-2 overall record.
At 105:30 minutes, tonight’s game was the longest in program history. The previous record stood at 85:33 minutes, a 2-1 victory over Southern Maine on Feb. 19, 2022. It was also the longest game in Norwich’s history.
Five different Herons recorded a point. First-year Bella Hacker and senior Kayla Ketchabaw scored the goals for the Herons. Senior Erin Murray played 102:23 in goal for the Herons and made a career-high 62 saves.
Olivia Boyer led the way for Norwich (19-7-0). She had three points, recording two goals and an assist. Leocadia Clark had 29 saves in just over 105 minutes in goal.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
ORANGE GAME WEEK: Syracuse football returns home to host Louisville Saturday night (preview) - Norwich finished the game with a 63-31 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Herons were 2-for-4 on the power play and Norwich was 0-for-4 with the extra attacker.
MATCH MOMENTS
- The Herons opened the scoring at the 13:26 mark of the first period. Hacker wristed a shot from the left faceoff circle past Clark for her sixth goal of the season. The power-play goal was assisted by Kelly Howeand Laine Heiser.
- The Cadets had a 12-5 advantage in shots on goal in the opening period.
- Norwich tied the game at the 12:25 mark of the second period. Boyer picked up a rebound in the slot and slipped a shot past Murray. Jordan Brady and Neris Archambault had assists on the goal.
- Norwich took a 2-1 lead at the 14:58 mark of the third period. Boyer scored an unassisted goal.
- William Smith pulled the goalie with just over three minutes remaining in regulation. Twenty seconds later, Tara Valas fired a shot off a goalpost.
- With three seconds remaining in the game, Ketchabaw collected a pass from Mackenzie O’Neil and fired a shot over Clark’s blocker into the upper left corner of the cage. It was her sixth goal of the season.
- In the first overtime, Norwich outshot the Herons 9-6.
- William Smith had 12 shots in the second overtime.
- Taylor Girouard scored the game-winning goal at the 5:30 mark of the third overtime session. Livia Brooks and Boyer had assists on the tally.
CENTURY MARK
- Today’s game was Graduate Student Mackenzie O’Neil’s 100th career game. She is the 12th player in program history to hit that milestone.
SENIOR SALUTE
- The William Smith Ice Hockey Class of 2025 finished their careers with a record of 50-51-5. The 50 wins for Kayla Ketchabaw, Annabel Ziskin, Lauren Legler, Brianna Felice, Erin Murray and Mackenzie O’Neil are third most by a graduating class.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.
