MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Freshman
Janelle Evans and
Alaina Giampietro scored, propelling the Colonials to win the second game of the series, 2-1. RMU is now 9-15-0 overall and 6-6-0 in the CHA. Mercyhurst's overall record is now 12-13-1 overall and 8-4-0 in conference play.
1st PERIOD
- In the opening frame, Mercyhurst scored the first goal of the day. Chantal Ste-Croix netted in the Lakers fifth power-play goal of the series.
- Through the first 20 minutes, RMU won 11 of 20 faceoffs and blocked eight shots.
2nd PERIOD
- The Colonials started to gain momentum in the second period. RMU earned three power-play opportunities, posting 12 shots on goal compared to Mercyhurst's three.
- Under four minutes left in the middle frame, RMU's first line headed down the ice with speed, creating a 2on1. Closing in on goal,
Alaina Giampietro sauced a pass over to
Janelle Evans. After taking a touch, Evans tied up the game, scoring the Teddy Bear Toss goal.
- Since the programs relaunched, Evans scored the team's first goal of the campaign and first teddy bear toss goal.
3rd PERIOD
- Quickly into the final period, Giampietro sniped in the game-winning goal within the first two minutes. Behind goaltender
Maggie Hatch, graduate defenseman Chloé Puddifant started the play with a breakout pass to Giampietro down the left wing. The Strongsville, Ohio native skated through all three zones and sniped in the go-ahead goal.
- Defensively, the Colonials shut down the Lakers' push to tie the game. RMU killed off five penalties and Hatch stopped all 11 shots in the third.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Giampietro paced for a team-high 10 shots on goal. Contributing to both goals, the first line trio of Giampietro-Evans-Snow all finished with a +2. Graduate forward
Jersey Phillips won eight of 13 faceoffs. Netminder
Maggie Hatch recorded her 12th, 30+ save performance of the season, leading all CHA goaltenders. Across her past five games, Hatch owns 195 saves, averaging 39 per game. She's now one save away from 600 in the 2023-24 campaign.
PUDDIFANTS POINT STREAK
From Calgary, Alberta, defenseman Chloé Puddifant continued her point streak to six games, dishing out an assist on RMU's game-winning goal. Producing a point in six straight contests, continues her career-best point streak.
BLOCK PARTY
A vital part of RMU's win today was blocking shots, specifically throughout the Lakers' eight power-play opportunities. The Colonials finished the game with a season-high 37 blocks. Their previous best was yesterday (26). Therefore, this is also the most blocks in a series for RMU in the 2023-24 campaign (63). Alternate captain Chloé Puddifant led the way with a team-high six blocks. Captain
Allyson Hebert blocked five, bringing her season total to 48 which leads the roster.
Calli Arnold,
Shailynn Snow and
Gillian Thompson all also blocked four each.
GAME-WINNER FOR GIAMPIETRO
For the fifth time this season, freshman
Alaina Giampietro produced a multipoint game. Scoring a goal and adding an assist today, Giampietro brought her season totals up to 11 goals and eight assists, totaling 19 points. She now owns two GWG's this season, tying her teammates
Madison Primeau,
Morgan Giannone and
Jersey Phillips.
QUOTABLE
"Especially at home, it was great to realize what we're capable of accomplishing. I think we can build off this going forward and gain momentum the rest of the season. The standings are very tight. Anyone can be anyone in this league. It's vital for us to earn every point towards the playoffs."
- Sophomore Maggie Hatch
"We try to build off everyone's energy. I feed off them and it keeps me calm. Today, we saw how much the little things pay off. Seeing someone block a shot is one less shot that I have to fight off. It saves more physical and mental energy for myself."
- Sophomore Maggie Hatch
"We challenged our girls before the game to focus on a lot of details. We're very proud of our girls today to earn a huge win against a great team. The nice part about college hockey is having the chance to rebound the next day in the series."
- Head Coach Logan Bittle
"The buy-in from this group today was special. I told them before the game about our 2012 championship game against Mercyhurst. They were one of the top teams in the country at the time. We ended up beating them by blocking 49 shots. That's what it takes to win a championship. We weren't the most skilled team in that game but we wanted it the most."
- Head Coach Logan Bittle
UP NEXT
The Colonials will head back out on the road, traveling up to Syracuse. They'll play the Orange in a two-game series on January 26-27.
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