Score: No. 1 Plattsburgh State 4 – No. 4 Elmira College 0
Records: Plattsburgh (22-1-0, 15-1-0 ECACW), Elmira (15-4-4, 12-2-2 ECACW)
Location: Stafford Ice Arena – Plattsburgh, N.Y.
 
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -- In a battle between the ECAC West Conference's top two teams, it would be the top-ranked Plattsburgh State Cardinals that would skate away victorious against fourth-ranked Elmira College women's ice hockey, 4-0. With today's result, the Cardinals have clinched the No. 1 seed and hosting rights throughout the 2017 ECAC West Tournament, while the Purple and Gold have secured the No. 2 seed, as well as hosting rights for a semifinal round matchup on Sunday, February 26th.
 
Despite a handful of quality scoring chances, as well as two power-play opportunities, Elmira skated into the first intermission with a 1-0 deficit. Shannon Strawinski '19 nearly put the Purple and Gold on top six minutes into the period on a one-on-one breakaway with Plattsburgh goaltender Camille Leonard. Strawinski deked twice on the rush and nearly wristed the puck into the net for the score, but Leonard sprawled out and turned away the attempt with a well-timed kick save.
 
Just about five minutes later, Courtney Moriarty scored the game-opening goal at the 11:20 mark.  Mackenzie Millen set up the score with a pass from behind the EC cage that found Moriarty just outside the crease, where she one-timed it through the five-hole for the goal.
 
EC was awarded two power plays in the second stanza, but the Elmira women came up empty on both chances. The Cardinals, on the other hand, would make the most of their 13 second-period attempts by scoring twice to extend their lead to 3-0.
 
Jordan Lipson scored 5:52 into the second period on a two-on-one rush, as a pass from Moriarty left Lipson alone in the slot where she went top shelf for the shorthanded goal. Then at the 16:30 mark, Erin Bran tallied from just outside the left crease on assists from Muna Fadel and Sarah Wolf.
 
It took 6:30 into the third period for the Cardinals to increase their lead to 4-0, as Lipson cashed in on Plattsburgh's lone power-play chance of the game for her second tally of the evening. Passes from Moriarty and Brand found Lipson in the slot, where she slapped a backhand that barely made its way past EC's Kyle Nelson '17, who was screened on the play.
 
The Lipson goal was the final one of the game, as the Cardinals handed Elmira its second consecutive league loss.
 
Turning Point
Elmira's power play took the ice five times in today's game, but came up empty on all five chances. Two of EC's power-play opportunities took place in the first period, which capped a 0-for-12 weekend on the power play for the Soaring Eagles.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Plattsburgh held a 36-to-26 advantage in shots on goal.
• The Cardinals were whistled for five infractions for 10 penalty minutes.
• Elmira was called for just one penalty and two minutes penalty minutes.
• The Soaring Eagles went 0-for-5 on the power play, while Plattsburgh cashed in on its only power-play chance of the evening.
• Moriarty led Plattsburgh with three points on one goal and two assist.
• Lipson scored twice for Plattsburgh, shorthanded and on the power play.
• Brand finished with two points on one goal and one assist.
• Millen, Fadel and Wolf logged one assist apiece.
• Nelson made 32 saves, including a 12-save first-period performance.
• Leonard stopped 26 shots en route to a shutout win.

 
News and Notes

• Plattsburgh clinched the No. 1 seed in this year's ECAC West Tournament.
• Elmira has solidified the No. 2 seed in the year-end conference tournament.
• Elmira will host an ECAC West Semifinal game on February 26th.
• The Soaring Eagles were shutout for the second time this season.
• Nelson's 32 saves were a season high and her fourth 30-plus save performance.

 
Up Next
Elmira is back in action next Saturday, February 18th, when the Soaring Eagles open a two-game series with the Bears of SUNY Potsdam. Saturday's contest is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at the Murray Athletic Center.