PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Women's hockey made a triumphant return to the ice after a three-week winter break, winning their opening round game against Maine in the Battle at the Burgh tournament, 8-2. A trio of Raiders chipped in three-point performances, including fifth-year senior
Sydney Bard who logged her second multi-tally game of the season.
"Today was fun. I think everyone had a good time and it was exciting to get back on the ice again," Bard said. "It's definitely nice to get a few stats, too, but honestly it's a tribute to how we played as a team. Everyone was buzzing tonight and I was just lucky to get a few points."
Colgate jumped out to an early lead thanks to a three-goal first period. Hours after meeting three-time NHL champion Sidney Crosby, Sydney Morrow put the Raiders on the board after dekeing out three Maine defenders and slotting a low wrister.
Senior Dara Greig joined in on the action two minutes later with the first of her three points of the evening, where she weaved between two Bears before tip-toeing the crease and converting on one leg.
Kaia Malachino poured in one more score before the first intermission, but Maine maintained its composure. The Bears cut the deficit to just one goal at the 13-minute mark of the middle period, but Kristýna Kaltounková had an answer. She poked in her NCAA-leading ninth power play score of the season to reestablish a two-goal lead that the Raiders would not relinquish.
Colgate did not let its foot off the gas in the final frame as Elyssa Biederman kicked off the scoring with a power play goal just 90 seconds into the third. She scored again after Kaitlyn O'Donohoe potted her seventh goal of the year as Bard picked up her final assist.
Malachino completed the eight-goal route, burying a pass from fellow first-year Madeline Palumbo with under a second remaining in the game.
UP NEXT
The Raiders return to the UPMC Lemieux Sports Center tomorrow at 5 p.m. to take on the winner of Bemidji State and Robert Morris.
