After a weather cancellation on Friday night for their game versus Tilton, the Big Red woke up Saturday and headed to Phillips Exeter for the second half of a home and home series. SPS knew Exeter would be smarting after the game on Wednesday and would come out hard. SPS would need to prove that they can continue to play at a high level and be willing to do the little things that lead to success. As expected, Exeter came out fast, scoring on the first shift as the Big Red failed to clear the zone. The quick goal woke the Big Red up who rallied four minutes later to even the score. With a delayed penalty called, the Big Red retained possession, and
Liza Demain moved the puck to
Tess Mulkerron.
Tess Mulkerron who gained zone entry and sauced a soft puck to the Exeter net – unable to control the rebound the puck was left for
Madeline Allen to finish. 1- 1! The Big Red would take the lead with a power play goal with 9:39 to play in the first. A face-off win by
Erin Flaherty to
Kelsey MacPherson was moved to the top to
Malin Wilde.
Malin Wilde took the space given her and rifled a snapshot into the top right corner. The lead would not last as Exeter came back with a power play goal of their own to have the teams head off the ice 2 – 2 after one.
The second period was a better one for the Big Red. They came out with more energy, and their passing was sharper and more consistent. The lone goal of the period would come from an SPS power play. Two and half minutes in,
Malin Wilde controlled the puck on the wall and created some free space at the top of the circle. Her shot was deflected across the crease by
Madeline Allen and fell perfectly to a waiting
Erin Flaherty on the back side.
Erin Flaherty went upstairs giving the visiting Big Red the 3 – 2 lead that they would not relinquish.
The final stanza would come down to the team who was willing to play smart, disciplined hockey and who could manage to stay out of the penalty box (four of the first five goals had been power play scores.) Both teams would do just that as no penalties were called during the third period. Credit Exeter for their hard work throughout the contest and a huge shoutout to SPS goaltender
Paige MacPhee who made 24 saves over the course of the afternoon, maybe the biggest being a breakaway save late in the third period. Well done, SPS.
The final week of the regular is ahead for the squad. SPS travels to Tilton on Monday and to Proctor on Wednesday. Finish strong. Go Big Red!
