Bobcats Tie Niagara; Win in Shootout

Box Score

HAMDEN, CT --  Niagara's experience in the shootout didn't help them in the Consolation Game of the 2007 Nutmeg Classic as they tied Quinnipiac, 3-3. The Bobcats won the game in the shootout 2-0 to solidify a third place finish in the tournament, despite the game being an official tie.

The game started with an offensive explosion as both teams came out firing in the first. Niagara went up 1-0 just over one minute into the game when Megan Price came in on Jamie Miller (Richmond Hill, Ont.) on a two-on-one and beat the Bobcat's goalie on the short-side.

The game would not stay that way for long as the Bobcats got a goal at the 2:50 mark of the first when Kallie Flor's (Farmington, Minn.) shot was kicked back out into the slot where Janine Duffy (Toronto, Ont.) was waiting and finished the play for her third goal of the season and tying the game, 1-1.

The Bobcats would strike next a little over six minutes later on the power play when Breana Burton (Surrey, B.C.) tipped in a goal on a shot from Brandice Moniz (Oakville, Ont.). Flor would get her second point on an assist when she passed to Moniz on the left side for the one-timer that Burton would knock in between Jill Zelonis' pads.

Niagara would tie the score, 2-2, on Ashley Riggs' fourth goal of the weekend. The puck bounced in front of an initial Niagara shot and Briggs was able to slam it past Miller for the equalizer with just five seconds left in the period.

The second period had a much different feel than the first as neither team was able to score. The Purple Eagles looked as if they had an extra jump in their step as they threw 15 shots on Miller in the period, but all were denied. One of those saves was on a Briggs' breakaway with 3:13 left in the middle session. Briggs was able to shake off a Bobcat defender at center ice and come in on Miller. Briggs tried to make the Quinnipiac goaltender move to her left where Miller was able to make the save.

The end of the second saw the Bobcats on a two-player disadvantage for 1:08. However, Niagara was unable to score as Quinnipiac was able to kill both penalties and maintain the tie through two periods of play.

Niagara would take a 3-2 lead on a shorthanded goal by Autumn Stuntz at 8:35 in the third when she took the puck off a Bobcat defender's stick and took it the length of the ice where she was able to beat Miller.

The Bobcats looked as if they might suffer another one-goal loss, but Flor would take a pass into the slot and beat Zellonis high glove-side for the tying goal of the game with 1:09 left in regulation.

Neither team was able to score the winner in overtime, despite the Bobcats starting the extra frame on the power play. The game is officially recorded as a tie, but for the purposes of placement in the Nutmeg, the game would go into a shootout.

Miller would make three tremendous saves on Purple Eagle shots in the shootout, while Elyse Cole (Belleville, Ont.) would score what would prove to be the game-winner when she roofed at shot past Zellonis. Erica Bolognino (Carol Stream, Ill.) would add an insurance goal on the last shot preventing any chance of a Niagara victory.

Quinnipiac will return to action Thursday night at 7 p.m. when they host Robert Morris in the first of two straight games with the Colonials.

The Championship of the 2007 Nutmeg Classic will be played tonight at 7 p.m. between Yale and UConn.