Game Recap
Teams traded scoring chances and offensive zone time throughout the majority of the first period. Exeter had the first powerplay of the game and created a handful of quality scoring opportunities but Worcester netminder Kelsey Czerniawski was up to the task. Worcester went up on the powerplay in the final two and a half minutes of the period and was able to convert 30 seconds in off of a strong slapshot from defender Shannon Burke #20. Worcester kept the pressure up, hemming exeter in their own end for the remainder of the period, adding another goal on a net front scramble from #2 Ciara Wall.
Worcester came out hard right out of the gates in the second frame and established offensive zone pressure and netted an early goal off of a face off from #17 Jenna Krikorian. Worcester quickly added 2 more goals from #5 Kaleigh Wall and #9 Faith Mancini, putting them up 5-0 over Exeter. Exeter’s first goal from #11 Abby Smith came off of a burst of offensive zone pressure. Smith’s goal changed the momentum of the period as Exeter took control of the majority of the play. Exeter added another goal from #14 who showcased her great speed and physicality down low by stripping Worcester defender of the puck and taking it straight to the net.
In the third period, Worcester took control the first 5 minutes, keeping Exeter hemmed in their own zone for the majority of the play. A good bounce on a breakout play sprung from #11 Abby Smith into the Worcester zone all on her own. After making a great move coming out of the corner, Smith got around the Worcester defender and buried a shot from the hashmarks for her second goal of the game. Exeter continued to lay on the pressure peppering Worcester netminder #30 Czerniawski who had to come up with some huge saves late in the period. The third period was a battle with Exeter pushing to tie the game but Worcester came out on top, winning 5-3.
3 Stars of the game
- Kelsey Czerniawski (Worcester)
- Abby Smith (Exeter)
- Shannon Burke (Worcester)
