CMU DII women's hockey battles for season-opening win
Bob Davies with captains Mac Barnett and Kat Poulos taken by Nick Wisniewski
It was an opening night to remember for the Central Michigan Division II women's club hockey team, starting with a ceremonial puck drop from President Bob Davies.
Facing Michigan State, the Chippewas secured a 3-2 overtime victory giving head coach Chris Haney his first home win.
“To get a victory tonight is huge for the girls' confidence,” Haney said. "Knowing that we beat an opponent we hadn’t beat in four tries last year. We now have that confidence that we can hang with anybody this year.”
First game jitters rattled both teams as they struggled to gain control in the first period. Despite going on an early power-play, the Chippewas were unable to capitalize on the advantage.
“The first period was the feeling out period,” Haney said. "And I knew that going in. The message was to keep trying to get better, don’t get frustrated. Stay positive and keep working hard”
Those in attendance had to wait until the third period, but it quickly became a battle of the goalies. Both teams peppered shots on net, as the crowd in Martin Ice Arena got closer to the edge of their seats.
Then freshman forward Zoie Sawdy sent the crowd into a frenzy as she gave the Chippewas a 1-0 lead on a power-play goal. But the Spartans responded on a power-play of its own to tie the game.
MSU managed to sneak another one past Chippewa sophomore goalie Briana Schroer to take the 2-1 lead.
As the clock ticked away, the Chippewas found themselves with a 5-on-3 advantage. CMU freshman forward Gabrielle Nixon found an opening and netted a goal to tie it at two, forcing overtime.
Three minutes into the extra period, freshman forward Brooke Hubert found the back of the net and secured the 3-2 CMU win.
The Chippewas travel to East Lansing to take on the Spartans on Sunday with puck drop set for 1:30 p.m.
