Fall athletics are in full swing, but now, hockey season upon us here as well. The women’s team opened their season last Wednesday with an exhibition game against McGill University at Appleton. The Saints fell 7-4, but played two competitive periods before allowing 4 goals in the third period.
The ladies never actually held a lead in the game, and were forced to play catch up after an early goal. They trailed 2-0 entering the second period, but a power play goal from Junior Kailee Heidersbach brought the Saints within one goal. However, as was the case for much of the game, McGill was able to strike quickly to retake their two goal lead.
The Saints received goals from Heidersbach, Senior Jess Hon on a breakway, and First Years Kennedy Marchment ‘ and Amanda McClure, but were unable to contain the McGill offense.
The Saints will open their regular season play this Friday at Appleton, when arch-rival and defending National Champion Clarkson comes to town for the first of a home and home non-conference series. Last year, the Golden Knights took all four games the two teams played against each other en route to their Frozen Four title.
While the Golden Knights lost their most dynamic player, Jamie Lee Rattray, they still sport one of the most talented rosters in the ECAC, and a strong recruiting class, one of the benefits of winning a National Championship. The Saints will need to play tight defense in order to match Clarkson. Puck drops on Friday is 7:00 PM.
The Saints will then head to Clarkson on Saturday, when Clarkson will raise their 2014 National Champions banner to finish the series at Cheel Arena.
In other news surrounding the women’s team, the captains for this year were announced. Senior Amanda Boulier will captain the Saints, while Seniors Ellie Williams, Kayla Raniwsky and Jess Hon will be assistants.
On the mens side, its been almost six months since the Skating Saints took the ice in front of their home crowd. That changes this Saturday, when Coach Carvel and the men will take on Carleton University in an exhibition showdown at Appleton.
The Saints won the exhibition matchup between the two teams last year by a score of 4-2, but take the ice this year without the brothers, Matt and Greg Carey, who both play professionally now. While the Saints still have some offensive power, most notably last years ECAC co-rookie of the year Sophomore Gavin Bayreuther, Carvel’s squad will look to improve on the defensive side of the puck in order to win this weekend, and in the future. The puck will drop at 7:00 PM on Saturday.
In other men’s news, Senior Gunnar Hughes will captain the men, while Senior Patrick Doherty and Junior Brian Ward will serve as assistants. Also, former RIT goalie and Nazareth College assistant Jared G. DeMichiel was named as an assistant coach for the Saints earlier this year, as Kris Mayotte headed to Providence College for an assistant coach position there.