BUFFALO, NY – Senior
Jeyna Minnick (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) deflected a shot from Vivi Vaattovaara (Veikkola, Finland/Hameenlinnan Lyseon Lukio) in the final 10 seconds of the game to tie things up between Buffalo State (5-5-2, 5-3 ECAC) and top ranked, undefeated Plattsburgh (9-0-2, 6-0 ECAC), but the goal was called off due to a high-sticking call by the officials and the Cardinals would hold on for a 2-1 conference win on Saturday afternoon at Ice Arena.
The Cardinals jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead just 1:04 into play. Despite being down so early in the game, the Bengals fought hard on defense and kept Plattsburgh's lead to one goal heading into the second period.
Buffalo State's defense remained strong in the second period, while the offense started to apply some pressure.
Erin Gehen (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca West) got the Bengals on the scoreboard, tying the game just over six minutes into the middle frame with assists from
Bri Carroll (Peoria, AZ/AZ Virtual Academy) and
Brooke Krantz (Penticton, BC/Penticton). Plattsburgh regained the lead with a goal midway through the second period, however, while each team had a player in the penalty box.
In the third period, freshman goalkeeper
Justine Silva (El Monte, CA/Arroyo) was tremendous. Silva stopped all 18 of the Cardinals shots, keeping Plattsburgh scoreless for the period and giving Buffalo State a chance to tie things up.
With time winding down, the Bengals got off five shots on goal, but all were stopped. Then Vaattovaara ripped a shot from just inside the blue line with 11 seconds to play, which Minnick deflected in to tie things up. The referee waived off the goal, claiming it was deflected with a high stick, although the replay shows Minnick's stick never went above her waist.
Plattsburgh finished the game with a 38-15 advantage in shots. The Bengals once again held the Cardinals off on power plays, stopping all four of their chances, but were also unsuccessful to convert on their three attempts with the extra attacker.
Silva recorded a career-high 36 shots in the hard-luck loss between the pipes.
The Bengals return to action on Friday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. with a non-conference home matchup against SUNY Canton.
