Score: No. 2 Elmira College 2, No. 9 Gustavus Adolphus College 1
Records: Elmira (7-1-0), Gustavus Adolphus (3-2-2)
Location: Chip Kenyon '85 Arena – Middlebury, VT

Middlebury, VT -- The second-ranked Elmira College women's ice hockey team concluded the Cardinal-Panther Classic with a 2-1 neutral-site victory over No. 9 Gustavus Adolphus College Saturday night.

For the third time in the last three games, the Soaring Eagles were forced to overcome an early one-goal deficit and score the game-winner in the third period. This time, the Golden Gusties jumped ahead 1-0 at the 12:13 mark in the first period on a power-play goal, as senior forward Allison Eder-Zdechlik tapped in a loose puck in front of the EC net.

It was third straight game in which the Soaring Eagles surrendered a power-play goal after not allowing one in the first five games of the season. However, it was the performance of the Elmira special teams – including the penalty-kill unit – that ultimately led the comeback.

The Golden Gusties had six additional power play opportunities throughout the remainder of the game, but were limited to a mere four shots on goal in those chances, as the Soaring Eagles' penalty kill unit successfully shut down Gustavus Adolphus after giving up the first goal.

On the other hand, it was EC's man-up squad that began sparked the turnaround for the Soaring Eagles. After Laine Fischer was assessed a two-minute penalty for tripping, Louisa Lippiatt Durnell '18 knotted the game at 1-1 with her first power-play goal of the season. With only 20 seconds remaining in the first period, Durnell rifled the shot inside the far post and over the shoulder of Gustavus Adolphus goalie Amanda DiNella.

Early in the second period, Durnell nearly scored shorthanded, but DiNella saved the shot with her right pad. The East Sussex, England, native was then able to get off three shots on EC's following power play, two of which were blocked, while DiNella saved the third.

The Purple and Gold received the eventual game-winning goal from Olivia Nystrom '16 in the opening minutes of the third period. Kyra McDonald '18 sent the puck towards the net from the left wing and Nystrom was there to tip it inside the near post at the 1:37 mark.

Maddy Jerolman '19 was penalized for tripping at 9:33 in the third, giving the Golden Gusties one more chance to find the equalizer with an extra attacker. Elmira junior netminder Kyle Nelson '17 thought otherwise, as she made two of her season-high 23 saves to turn away Gustavus Adolphus' Fischer and Erica Power.

The game did not end without controversy, as Gustavus Adolphus looked to have scored the game-tying goal with 1:06 left in the third period. The officiating crew, however, waived off the goal due to a hand pass in front of the net.

The Golden Gusties pulled DiNella and skated 6-on-5 for the final minute, but Nelson saved a pair of shots in the closing seconds to prevent Kaitlyn Klein from sending the game into overtime.

In Their Own Words…
Head Coach Dean Jackson '03 on sweeping both games of the ultra-competitive Cardinal-Panther Classic…
"It feels great to get two big wins on the road this weekend. We just played two tremendous teams. Both games could have gone either way."

Coach Jackson on the performance of the penalty kill unit…
"We are very pleased with our PK. Special teams play such a pivotal role during the course of a game. You can win or lose if special teams are not on point. Thus far, it has been a large piece of our success."

Coach Jackson on Kyle Nelson's impact between the pipes…
"'Nelly' played a fantastic game. She made some big saves and shut the door in the dying minutes of the game. She provided us a chance to win the game."

Turning Point
It appeared that the Golden Gusties tied the game late in the third period. However, the goal, scored with 1:06 remaining in regulation, was disallowed by the officials because of a hand pass off of a deflected shot in front of the net. Gustavus Adolphus pulled their netminder in favor of an extra attacker for the rest of the period, but Nelson came up with a pair of saves in the closing moments to preserve the lead and secure the win.

Inside the Box

• Durnell scored with 20 seconds left in the first period to tie the game at 1-1.
• Nystrom netted the game-winning goal at 1:37 in the third period.
• Kristin Chivers '19 and Anna Tude '17 assisted on the first goal.
• McDonald and Erin Kishoni '18 assisted on the game-winner.
• Eder-Zdechlik scored unassisted on the power play for Gustavus Adolphus.
• Elmira finished 1-for-4 on the power play; Gustavus Adolphus was 1-for-7.
• Gustavus Adolphus outshot EC, 24-to-19.
• Nelson made 23 saves, including 11 in the third period, en route to the win.

News and Notes

• Elmira was now won seven consecutive games, improving to 7-1-0 on the season.
• EC has rallied from one-goal deficits in the last three games.
• The Purple and Gold have scored a power-play goal in seven straight contests, tallying nine man-up goals during that span.
• The Soaring Eagles are now 3-1 against nationally-ranked teams this season.
• Nelson improved to 3-0-0 after making a season-high 23 saves.
• Nystrom's goal is her seventh of the year, tying her with Meghan Fonfara '18 for the team lead.
• Durnell has scored a point in all seven games she's skated in this season.
• Chivers' assist extends her point streak to four consecutive games.

Up Next
No. 2 Elmira heads to Potsdam, NY, to face the Bears of SUNY Potsdam in ECAC West action. The weekend series begins with a 7:00 p.m. contest on Saturday, December 5th, and concludes the following afternoon at 2:00 p.m.