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.