SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. - The Potsdam women's hockey team (1-1), missing an all-conference defenseman and team captain to a soccer playoff game, fell 3-1 at Saint Michael's College (2-2) on Saturday afternoon. Junior captain Shelbi Thacker (Chesterfield, Mich./Honeybaked) scored for the Bears.
After battling evenly for most of the period and trading three penalties, the Purple Knights got on the board first. After a scrum along the right boards, Maddie Gervais centered the puck and Arianna Boscia scored from the slot with two seconds left in the period.
Saint Mike's generated more chances, but were unable to score on two power plays in the first half of the second period. Potsdam was 0-for-1 on their lone man advantage and the score was unchanged after 40 minutes despite a 15-8 advantage in shots for the Purple Knights.
The Bears controlled the play in the third period, outshooting the Purple Knights 14-6, but couldn't get a break. Jordan Monbouquette scored the eventual game-winner 3:56 into the final stanza. The Bears then went on three consecutive power plays, including a 1:37, 5-on-3 advantage. They pulled sophomore goalie Samantha White (Oceanside, Calif./Anaheim Lady Ducks) with 2:02 left. Boscia took advantage and scored a shorthanded marker at 18:30. The power play continued and Thacker scored on shot from the point that deflected past Saint Mike's goalie Vika Simons to make it 2-1. Sophomore forwards Natalie Wasilewski (Carnegie, Pa./Pittsburgh Penguins Elite) and Keira Thacker (Oakville, Ontario/Hamilton Hawks) each assisted on the play. However, the Bears could get no closer.
White finished with two goals allowed and 27 saves. Simons stopped 30 shots for the win. The Bears were 1-for-7 on the power play and the Purple Knights were 0-for-4.
Potsdam opens NEWHL play next Friday at 7 p.m. when Buffalo State comes to Maxcy Ice Arena.