Harvard Claims Title
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CAMBRIDGE, MA -- Caitlin Cahow scored the game-winning goal 3:33 into overtime to lift No. 1 Harvard to its fifth ECAC Hockey Championship title with a 3-2 victory over No. 6 St. Lawrence Sunday at Bright Hockey Center.
Harvard (31-1-0) becomes the first team in ECAC Women's Hockey history to be perfect in conference play during the regular season and playoffs, as the Crimson went a combined 26-0-0 against ECAC opponents.
Shortly before Cahow's tally in overtime, the Crimson thought it had earned a 3-2 victory after a Kati Vaughn slap shot from the blue line hit the back of the net. However, the referees ruled that it was deflected by a high stick in front of the goal, disallowing the score.
Moments later, Cahow, a senior captain, moved into the St. Lawrence zone on a 1-on-2 chance, and fired a shot from the left. The puck went past Meaghan Guckian's glove, giving Harvard the ECAC title.
"This was a very exciting championship game," said Harvard head coach Katey Stone. "I'm most proud of our players, and how they kept their focus. It showed a lot of toughness having thought you won the game, and then coming back seconds later and win it again. That's a testament to the character of our players."
For her effort, Cahow, a Patty Kazmaier finalist, was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. She was joined on the all-tournament team by teammates Liza Ryabkina (forward), Jenny Brine (forward) and Christina Kessler (goaltender). Saints forward Chelsea Grills and defenseman Brittaney Maschme also were named to the all-tournament team.
Even though St. Lawrence (28-9-1) out shot Harvard, 12-10, in the first period, the Crimson had more quality scoring chances, including two by Sarah Wilson. Two minutes after the opening faceoff, Sarah Vaillancourt skated hard down the left boards, while Wilson raced down the middle of the ice. Vaillancourt passed the puck as Wilson crashed towards the net, but the pass just missed Wilson's stick and rolled to the left corner.
At 17:01, Wilson skated across the front of the crease and tried a backhanded shot, but Guckian snared the puck to preserve the 0-0 tie. No penalties were called during the opening stanza.
After St. Lawrence was called for body checking at 5:02 of the second, the Crimson grabbed a 1-0 lead on a Ryabkina slap shot from the center of the blue line. Sarah Wilson moved the puck to Cori Bassett around St. Lawrence's perimeter before finding Ryabkina as the freshman collected her 10th goal of the year at 6:38.
The Saints managed to tie the game less than six minutes later when Chelsea Grills got the puck from a rebound and fired it into the net at 12:28. A St. Lawrence power play had just expired 14 seconds earlier, but the Saints kept the puck in the Crimson zone, leading to the score. Britni Smith took the original shot which created the rebound, and was credited with an assist along with Carson Duggan. After 40 minutes, St. Lawrence retained its lead in shots, holding a 25-16 advantage.
With 4:09 remaining in regulation, Wilson floated the puck to Brine, who took a leaning shot at the St. Lawrence net. Guckian tried to stop the puck with her stick, but it rolled up her arm and over her shoulder. The puck bounced into the net, as Harvard took a late 2-1 lead.
The Saints responded almost immediately to knot the game, 2-2, at 17:17. Smith took a shot at Kessler, which the goalie stopped with her chest, but the puck rolled to the side. Marianna Locke, standing near the crease, grabbed it and fired a one-timer. After three periods, St. Lawrence held a narrow lead in shots, 31-29. Each team mustered two shots apiece in the extra session.
Kessler picked up her 29th victory of the season, making 31 saves for the Crimson, while Guckian stopped 28 shots. Harvard was 1-for-3 on its power plays, while St. Lawrence went 0-for-3. The Saints won 39 of 66 faceoffs.
With its 20th consecutive victory, Harvard moves to 17-0-0 at Bright Hockey Center this season.
As ECAC champions, the Crimson earned the automatic bid to the NCAA Championship, and will await word later Sunday on its seeding in the national tournament.
All Tournament Team Selections:
Forward: Chelsea Grills, St. Lawrence
Forward: Liza Ryabkina, Harvard
Forward: Jenny Brine, Harvard
Defenseman: Brittaney Maschme, St. Lawrence
Defenseman: Caitlin Cahow, Harvard
Goaltender: Christina Kessler, Harvard
Most Outstanding Player: Caitlin Cahow, Harvard
