Score: Elmira College 3, Norwich University 3 (OT)
Records: Elmira (13-2-1), Norwich (14-1-2)
Location: Murray Athletic Center -- Pine Valley, N.Y.

PINE VALLEY, N.Y. -- In a battle between two of the nation's top-three teams, the No. 2/3 Elmira College women's ice hockey team skated to a 3-3 overtime draw against the No. 3/2 Norwich University Cadets at the Murray Athletic Center.

The Soaring Eagles entered the weekend ranked second in the latest edition of the U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO) Poll, while the D3hockey.com voters selected the Cadets as No. 2 in their national poll. Therefore, it may come as no surprise to some that the two sides finished in a tie on Saturday afternoon.

In a bout featuring two of the best power-play units in Division III, it may also come as no surprise that special teams played a major role in the final outcome. Three of the six goals were netted with an extra skater, including the game's first goal, tallied by Norwich's Alyssa Hulst at the 3:34 mark of the opening period. A little over eight minutes later, Katie Granato '19 evened the score at 1-all with a power-play goal of her own, a deflected slap shot from the left-wing side that fluttered through traffic and past Norwich goalie Laurie King.

Granato's goal was the first of a three unanswered for the Purple and Gold, who took a 3-1 lead in the second period. The go-ahead goal was netted by freshman Jess Adams '21 with a tremendous finish on a breakaway play. She poked the puck out of her own zone, raced to it across the opposing blue line and finished with a top-shelf shot over King's left shoulder. Granato then made it a 3-1 score in Elmira's favor with just 1:02 to play in the second stanza. Although the initial shot from Meghan Fonfara '18 was saved, the rebound bounced out to the left faceoff circle, where the Naperville, Illinois, native fired it back into the net.

The Cadets whittled the deficit down to one goal with another power-play goal less than three minutes into the third period. Norwich then struck for the game-tying goal at the 5:47 mark on a one-timer from Adrieana Rossini.

Fifty-seven seconds after Rossini's tally, Norwich's Maddi Blauth was penalized for checking, giving the Soaring Eagles a chance to regain the lead on the power play. Elmira recorded three shots with the extra skater, one of which was blocked, one that sailed wide of its target and one that was saved by King. In overtime, the Cadets received their fifth power play of the game, when Meg Lahey '19 was assessed with a two-minute infraction for tripping. The Soaring Eagles came up with two clutch blocks, one made by Maddie Evangelous '19 with a sprawling effort in the high slot.

News and Notes

• Elmira finished with its first tie of the season and stands at 13-2-1 overall.
• Norwich was handed its second draw of the year and boasts a 14-1-2 record.
• EC is 3-1-1 against nationally-ranked teams in 2017-18.
• The Soaring Eagles remain unbeaten at home against the Cadets (5-0-2).
• Elmira has scored at least one power-play goal in three straight games.
• Granato's multi-goal game was her fourth of the season.
• Granato leads the team in goals (16) and is tied for the team lead in points (25).
• Evangelous tied her season-best with two assists.
• Adams' goal was the second of her rookie season.
• Kelcey Crawford '18 made 32 saves against the Cadets, bringing her total to 342 in her senior campaign.

Up Next
The No. 2/3-ranked Soaring Eagles will hit the road for their next three contests, beginning with their non-conference finale at Trinity College (Conn.) on Tuesday, January 23, at 7:30 p.m.