BUFFALO, NY—
Bri Carroll (Peoria, AZ/AZ Virtual Academy) scored with just over five minutes remaining to help Buffalo State (10-11-3/8-8-1) earn a 3-3 tie against visiting Utica (9-10-5/6-7-4) in an ECAC West game today at the Ice Arena.
Carroll also added an assist, while
Caitie Horvatits (Elma, NY/Iroquois) and
Christine Harris (Mountain Top, PA/Wyoming Seminary) also score for Buffalo State.
Viivi Vaattovaara (Veikkola, Finland) drew a pair of assists.
After a scoreless opening frame, the two teams erupted for a five-goal second period. Horvatits opened the scoring with an assist from
Missy Mallon (Amherst, NY/Amherst) just 3:24 into the period. Utica scored three of the next four goals, however, including a pair of the power play to take a 3-2 lead into the second intermission. Harris scored on a 5-on-3 power play to keep the Bengals within striking distance. Buffalo State applied consistent pressure in the third period, and finally evened the score with another power-play tally by Carroll, with assists from Vaattovaara and
Kara Goodwin (Avon Lake, OH/Avon Lake).
Both teams generated quality scoring chances in overtime, but neither side could net the decisive tally.
Justine Silva (El Monte, CA/Arroyo) finished with 24 saves, including five stops in the extra period.
Buffalo State outshot Utica, 35-24, for the game. The Bengals finished 2 for 7 on the power play, and the Pioneers were 2 for 3.
The Bengals and Pioneers will close out the regular season tomorrow at the Ice Arena at 4 p.m. Buffalo State needs a win or tie to secure its first-ever home playoff game.
