WILKES-BARRE, PA – The Wilkes women's hockey team enjoyed goal production from four different skaters as the team took down Stevenson 4-1 in their UCHC clash on Saturday afternoon at the Toyota SportsPlex.
The Colonels improved to 9-6-1 on the season and 7-6-1 in conference play. Meanwhile, the Mustangs dropped to 3-15-0 on the campaign and 3-10-0 in the UCHC.
After picking up an early power play, the Wilkes man advantage cycled the puck from Haylee Bouchard to Amanda Spreadbury. After a Mustang defender interrupted the shot, Tilly Wierdsma picked up the loose puck and buried it into the back of the net for her third goal of the season. Spreadbury and Bouchard picked up assists on the 1-0 goal at 2:53 of the first period.
The majority of scoring chances for both teams came within the first 20 minutes of play, as Wilkes and Stevenson combined for 33 shots on goal. With just over four minutes to go in the first period, two Colonel skaters were sent to the box for minor penalties, which gave Stevenson a prime opportunity to tie the game up before the intermission.
Colonel goaltender Audrey Milne turned aside 4 shots on the kill, however a scramble in front of Milne's crease resulted in Franki Cappello jamming the puck in to even the score at 1-1. Gracie Payne and Cassie Campbell were credited with assists on the five-on-three goal at 18:05.
Wilkes came out with tremendous energy to start the second period as the team recorded four shots in the first four minutes of action. Their tenacity paid off as a backhanded shot by Abigail Barcless was tipped by Milica Velcek over the Mustang goalie's shoulder. Barcless and Bouchard tallied helpers on Velcek's 2-1 goal at 3:59 of the middle frame.
Midway through the second, Jordan Ferry took a shot from the blue line that was beautifully redirected in front by Kayli Dube. Dube's deflection lit the lamp, giving the Colonels a 3-1 lead. Ferry and Ainsley Wescott collected assists on the play at 11:45.
Unsatisfied with the two-goal advantage, the Wilkes offense continued to send an array of shots towards the Stevenson netminder in the dying minutes of the second period. Despite the frenzied attack, the Mustangs were successful in keeping the deficit at two for the remainder of the frame.
For the third time in as many periods, Wilkes came out of the gate with a burst of momentum. Just 12 seconds into the third, Bouchard gathered the puck out from under the legs of two Stevenson skaters and worked her way into the slot. The first year fired a perfectly-placed wrist shot that beat the goalie's glove to expand the Colonel's lead to 4-1. Velcek collected the lone assist on the goal at 00:12 of the third period.
Shortly after the goal, both teams committed penalties which resulted in a stretch of four-on-four hockey. Wilkes and Stevenson did a good job occupying the extra space on the ice and did not allow a goal while down a player.
The Mustangs headed to the power play for the sixth time of the afternoon with under two minutes remaining in regulation and looked to cut down on their three-goal deficit. Four timely saves by Milne and a block by Ferry sealed the deal for the Colonels, who captured the win 4-1.
Bouchard led the way with three points (1 G, 2 A), giving her the all-time program record in single-season points with 16. Spreadbury recorded a team-high six shots on goal, followed by Bella Kaczorowski with five. Rachel Morey went 10-19 at the dot, which pushed her career faceoff win total over the 750 mark. Chayce Hyndman blocked two shots while Milne made 28 saves in the victory.
Cappello recorded Stevenson's only goal of the game and took three shots. Meghan Croyle and Emma DeMan shared the team lead with four shots each. On the defensive side, DeMan blocked a game-high four shots and King made 36 saves on the afternoon.
The Colonels wrap up the homestand against Stevenson on Sunday, January 21. Puck drop against the Mustangs is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.