Women’s Hockey Offensive Frenzy with Nichols Ends in 5-5 Draw

EAST BOSTON – Suffolk women's hockey put together its best offensive output of the season, but it was matched by Nichols for the non-conference clash to end in a 5-all stalemate Friday night at Louis E. Porazzo Memorial Rink.  

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 5 | Nichols 5 
RECORDS: Suffolk (2-3-2) | Nichols (0-5-2) 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The scoring started late in the opening period, but both teams managed to get on the board over the final 1:14. Suffolk struck first as Sydney Tietz juked by a couple of Bison defenders beyond the baseline and snuck the puck past Julia Carroll to put the Rams on the scoreboard at the 18:46 minute mark. 

The blue-and-gold's lead was shortlived Nichols responded 50 seconds later. Kayla Currin gained control of a loose puck off a Julia McLellan save and quickly scored the rebound to level the playing field at one apiece with 26 seconds left in the first frame. Kaci Johnson and Ashley Ljunggren helped even the score 

A five-goal second stanza was hectic. The Bison took control after potting two pucks over a 1:44 span. Taylor Wasylk put Kristen Caporusso in net to take over for McLellan. The change of gloves sparked an offensive onslaught for the Rams, who responded 35 seconds later. Haley Poloskey sliced the margin down to one with help from Maddy Burton and Kiley Searles. 

Down 3-2, Cassidy Gruning took control for the blue-and-gold as the Rams' rookie rattled off a pair of goals of her own over a 3:10 spurt to flip the script in Suffolk's favor, 4-3, a margin that stood at the second intermission.  

Things leveled once again 3:34 into the third period as the Bison took advantage of the man-up opportunity. Alicia Hunks made it a four-all game on a feed from Katheryn Pettibone. 

Back-and-forth action continued as Poloskey's second strike of the night put Suffolk ahead at the 7:10 minute mark. The Bison answered once at 2:27 later thanks to Mel McAleer. 

The scoring stopped there, however, with neither team punching through in regulation or the extra five minutes for the clash to end in a stalemate.  

NETMINDER NOTES

• Caporusso registered 11 saves over 35:34, while McLellan secured nine stops in the first 29:26.
• Carroll recorded 35 saves in the tie. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Madison Scheinberg finished with a team-best three assists. 
• Gruning and Poloskey each scored two goals. 
• Burton and Emily Johnston each dished out a pair of assists.
• Tietz netted one goal. 
• Izzy Hendry and Searles rounded out the Rams with points with one assist apiece. 
• The Rams outshot the Bison 40-25.
• Suffolk dominated the faceoff battle 53-24.

NOTEWORTHY

• The Rams and Nichols went into overtime for the first time in program history. 
• Suffolk skated in overtime for the second time this season and fourth time in program history. 
• The blue-and-gold moved to 0-0-4 in OT in program history. 
• The five goals are the most for Suffolk since it matched that number in a 5-1 victory over New England College Feb. 8, 2019. 
• Scheinberg produced her first collegiate points and did so in recording setting fashion with three assists to her credit. 
• Tietz is on a two-game point streak. In that stretch the sophomore tallied two goals.
• Gruning set a personal-best in goals (2) and points (2). 
• Poloskey matched a career-high in goals (2) and points (2). 
• Burton provided a personal-high two assists and matched a career-best in points (2). 
• Johnston, who handed out her first collegiate helper, finished with two set-ups.  

POST-GAME PIC

  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk returns to NEHC play tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 23 when it ventures to Johnson & Wales for a 6:55 p.m. conference clash.