CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard women's ice hockey skated away with a 1-0 upset victory over the No. 8 St. Lawrence Saints tonight to pick up its first ECAC win of the season.
Alex Pellicci's 52-save shutout effort allowed the Crimson to push the game to overtime, where
Gwyn Lapp scored the game-winner to send the Crimson off with a win.
Lapp's strike was the first game winning goal of her young career. The Landry Family Head Coach for Harvard Women's Ice Hockey, Laura Bellamy, also picked up the first ECAC victory of her career with the victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Harvard and St. Lawrence met on the ice at the Bright-Landry Hockey Center tonight to kick off the last weekend of hockey before the break for holidays and final exams.
- The Saints set the pace in the early going, putting up six shots in the opening 11 minutes. The stretch featured a strong penalty kill from the Crimson special teams unit, that included two blocked shots by Shannon Hollands.
- Pellicci made nine more saves in the opening period of play to send the game into the intermission in a scoreless tie.
- The battle raged into the second period, with both defenses putting on a clinic. Pellicci added 18 saves to her total in the frame to keep St. Lawrence off the board. The Crimson attempts were continually thwarted by the Saints' defense and goaltender as the teams would once again skate to a scoreless period.
- Pellicci stood on her head in the period, making save after save. The junior's second period total included six saves on the second Saints' powerplay, that once again resulted in no numbers being put on the scoreboard.
- The Crimson managed to create a few scoring chances in the period, none more dangerous than a look Gabi Davidson Adams had on the doorstep that was turned aside.
- St. Lawrence brought the pressure early and often in the third period, putting 14 more shots on target, but none into the back of the net thanks to Pellicci.
- The teams would need an overtime period to decide the winner after time expired with zeroes still on the scoreboard.
- St. Lawrence controlled the puck for most of the three-on-three overtime, putting five shots on goal, all of which were stopped by Pellicci.
- With under a minute to go in overtime and errant shot by the Saints sent the Crimson on the counter. Hannah Chorkse collected the puck near her own blue line and delivered a perfect cross ice onto the stick of Gwyn Lapp. Lapp broke free from the defense and came barreling down towards the net. Lapp toe dragged around the Saints goalie and put a backhand shot into the twine to give Harvard the win.
- The victory gives the Crimson its first conference win of the season and tenth straight unbeaten result against St. Lawrence.
HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS
- Alex Pellicci posted her first shutout of the season, making 52 saves in the effort.
- Gwyn Lapp scored her fourth goal in the last five games.
- It was the first career game-winner for Lapp.
- Hannah Chorske picked up the assist on the goal.
- Shannon Hollands played her 100th career game in the matchup.
- The Crimson penalty kill went 2-for-2 on the night.
- Eva Dorr posted a team-best eight wins in the faceoff circle.
- Harvard blocked 18 shots as a team, led by Kaley MacDonald and Maria Pape who each tallied three.
UP NEXT
Harvard will have another challenge tomorrow night when the No. 5 Clarkson Golden Knights come to the Bright-Landry Hockey Center to meet the Crimson. The battle is set for 3:00 PM and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
