Bears women roll to victory over St. Michael’s in hockey

POTSDAM, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team snapped a seven-game losing streak Friday with a 5-2 win over St. Michael’s (Vt.) at Maxcy Hall Ice Arena.

The Bears (2-7) dominated possession in the game, outshooting the Purple Knights 54-27 and winning 49-of-64 face-offs. Potsdam scored five unanswered goals to put the game out of reach.

“We played with a lot of intensity, which I’m happy with,” Potsdam coach Jay Green said. “The focus for today was needing intensity and execution … and overall I thought we did a really good job. It was a complete team effort.”

Junior Caitlin Manahan (St. Albans, Vt.) scored what proved to be the game-winner on the back end of a two-goal barrage over a 40-second span midway through the first period. It was her third of the season and was assisted by junior Breanna Roy (Orleans, Ontario).

The Bears outshot the Purple Knights 14-5 in the first period but led just 2-1 at the break. After St. Michael’s (2-7-1) scored less than two minutes into the game, Potsdam junior Stephanie Malcolm (Hamilton, Ontario) tallied her first goal of the season with 9:25 to play in the period, assisted by sophomore Katie Komsa (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) and freshman Emma Fillman (Ottawa, Ontario). Manahan’s goal put the Bears ahead for good.

“There was some concern because that’s not what we were anticipating (to start the game),” Green said. “But I felt there was an intensity in our mood in the locker room before the game, so I knew we would be alright.”

Junior Stephanie Simons (Stratford, Ontario) added to the Bears’ advantage with just over two minutes to play in the second period, scoring on a power play chance off a pass from junior Annmarie Lewis (Newmarket, Ontario).

Lewis and freshman Jenn Crawford (Burlington, Ontario) added insurance goals in the third period to seal the game for the Bears.

“Annmarie had a good, strong game, and I thought (senior) Kristine Faffley played extremely well in her first game back on defense,” Green said.”

Sophomore Jen Conophy (Glenmont, N.Y.) totaled 25 saves for Potsdam.

The two teams return to the ice tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Maxcy Hall Ice Arena.