Colgate Hockey: Girls sweep SU, Boys fall short in opener

HAMILTON » The Colgate women’s hockey program opened the season with a sweep of Syracuse as it earned a 3- 1 win in the home opener at Class of 1965 Arena. Behind a pair of goals by Eleri Mackay and a 27- save weekend by freshman goaltender Kayle Osborne, the Raiders are offto a 2- 0 start in 2020- 21.

Eager to light the lamp, Eleri Mackay scored for the Raiders just 1: 28 after the drop of the puck on the Raiders home ice. However, Syracuse answered within three minutes to even the score at 1- 1, a mark that would remain for the next 48: 09 of play.

In a scoreless second period, the Raiders offensive drive began to ramp up, improving fromtheir seven shots on goal in the opening period to 11 in the second. Colgate played a clean game that didn’t allow any power play opportunities to the Orange through the first 40: 00 of action, and utilized the man advantage to gain momentum in the offensive zone. A standout play came in the final minute of the period when Osborne made a sprawling save on a rebound opportunity for the Orange, which she shot down to keep it at a 1- 1 stalemate.

The Raiders faced two penalty kills in the third period, neither sacrificing quality looks to the instate rival. Coming off of the second successful killwith an amped up bench, the Raiders flew down the ice with an odd man rush to secure a 2- 1 advantage behind Rosy Demers’ tally. Just 41 seconds later, the dagger came as Eleri Mackay scored her second of the night to gain a 3- 1 advantage with under 7: 00 to play.

Although the Orange opted to pull their netminder for the extra skater, the Colgate defense held strong through the final horn to secure the 3- 1 win and the weekend sweep in the opening week

end of play. Colgate Boys Hockey Itwas competitive, physical, and fast play as the Colgate men’s hockey program opened the 202021 season by hosting No. 8 Clarkson for nonconference competition. Although first- year Alex Young recorded his first career goal in his first collegiate game, the Raiders were unable to match Clarkson’s two quick tallies to fall in a 2- 1 final to the ECAC Hockey foe.

The Raiders opened the season by seeing a quick chance by Tyler Jeanson as he had a look at the edge of the crease off the first play of the game, which was immediately followed by a scuffle that would indicate the upcoming physicality of the game. Colgate came out with major minutes in the Clarkson zone to start the period, outshooting the Golden Knights 3- 0 in the opening minutes.

The first special team put to the test was the Colgate penalty kill, which was successfully burned behind big blocked shots by the blueliners. As the period went on, goaltender Andrew Farrier made crucial saves in the second half to deny the Clarkson attempts, keeping things scoreless after 20: 00.

While the second period opened with the fastpaced play up and down the sheet, it waswith 11: 04 remaining in the period that Clarkson was able to find the five- hole to make it a 1- 0 game. That’s when first- year goaltender Carter Gylander entered the game for his first collegiate appearance between the pipes, splitting time with the starter Farrier.

Clarkson quickly followed up with another goal just over two minutes after the first to increase its lead to 2- 0, and try as theymight, theraiders were unable to get onto the board before the final horn of the second period.

Colgate opened the final period yet again with multiple chances at the net as it looked to battle back. It was first- year NHL draftee Alex Young who found the sweet spot to get the Raiders on the board midway through the period. The good guys in maroon then went on to a swift power play after the goal for the first time on the night, and although it was effective in peppering the Clarkson netminder, the Golden Knights returned their skater before the score could be evened.

With 6: 11 remaining in regulation, Colgate opted to use their timeout. In the following minutes, the Raiders continued to narrow the offensive gap as shots on goal stood at 2524 in favor of the Golden Knights. Although the Raiders utilized the extra skater for the final 1: 02, the horn would sound before they could force overtime for a 2- 1 final.