Pine Valley, NY – Elmira Women's Ice Hockey team hosted the Bears of SUNY Potsdam in Elmira's annual Pink the Rink event to raise breast cancer awareness. The Soaring Eagles entered the contest coming off an exciting 6-3 win while Potsdam came in after claiming a first place finish at the Rutland Herald Invitational.

The first period was filled with scoring as both teams would find the back of the net multiple times. Potsdam would get things started as Emma Smetaniuk scored on a power-play opportunity on a one time pass right in front of the net just 2:24 into the contest. This was Potsdam's first shot of the game. Elmira would answer back with a goal of their own as Briana Saltstone '14 (North Bay, ONT -- Southwest Wildcats, PWHL) notched her first score of her collegiate career. Saltstone would follow up on a shot from Lauren Campbell '12 (Erie, PA -- Chatham University), leaving her with an open net on the left side for a goal.

A minute and a half later Amber Tirri '13 (Ringwood, NJ -- Wyoming Seminary, NAPHA) would put Elmira ahead 2-1 as she would score off a rebound. The goal would be set up on a pass from their own defensive zone by Tori Charron '14 (Goodwood, ONT -- Aurora Panthers, PWHL) as she would connect with Caitlin Metcalf '13 (Calgary, AB -- Edge School for Athletes, JWHL). Metcalf would fire a shot but the Potsdam goalie would kick the puck away to a streaking Tirri who would bury the shot for a goal. Just two minutes after the EC goal, Smetaniuk would score her second of the game on another power-play chance, tying the game at two a piece. The score would remain tied as the teams would enter the first intermission.

Elmira would control the second period as they would notch three goals in the period. Fourth year player Amanda Ritzel '11 (Spencerport, NY -- Toronto Rattlers) would give Elmira the lead with her first goal of the season on a power-play chance at the 5:01 mark. Ritzel would receive the puck on a string of passes from Ella Stewart '14 (Mississauga, ONT -- Notre Dame Hounds Midgets) and Metcalf before beating the goalie on a shot through the five-hole.

Just over six minutes later, Charron would put in another Elmira score as she took on the goalie one-on-one and beat her to put Elmira up 4-2. Metcalf would register her third assist of the night on Charron's goal. At the 14:44 mark Tirri would tally her second goal of the game as she would find the back of the net during a scrum in front of the Potsdam goal. This goal would give Elmira a 5-2 advantage going into the third period.

The third period would prove to be uneventful as neither team would register a goal, leading to a 5-2 victory in favor of the Soaring Eagles. Elmira would out-shoot Potsdam 49-28 in the contest with EC goalie Lauren Sullivan '13 (Toronto, ONT -- Markham-Stouffville Stars, PWHL) making 26 saves en route to her eighth win of the season.

EC Women's Hockey will be back in action tomorrow as they host the Bears of SUNY Potsdam at 3:00 p.m. at the Murray Athletics Center in Pine Valley, NY.