Lakers capture another CHA crown

Make it eight years and eight CHA Championships as the Mercyhurst Lakers escaped the City Sports Center in Detroit with a 3-1 win over the Syracuse Orange.

Converted Laker blueliner Ashley Cockell started the scoring at 15:44 of the first period with her 20th marker of the season.

The Lakers out shot the Orange 20-7 in the first period and 22-5 in the second period, but thanks to Orange netminder Lucy Schoedel the score remained 1-0 going into the final frame.

Swiss Olympian Stephanie Marty gave the Orange something to cheer about at 5:11 of the third, scoring her 16th goal of the season on a 5-on-3 power-play to tie the score at 1-1.

The Orange and Lakers traded power-plays from there and with just 1:21 remaining, the record setting Mercyhurst penalty killing unit increased their NCAA record by scoring their 22nd shorthanded marker of the year.

Mercyhurst took advantage of a Syracuse line change as Cassea Schols picked up a puck near center ice and quickly got it up to Cockell. Cockell went in one-on-one with Schoedel a slid the puck through the five-hole for the game winner.

Jesse Scanzano added a late empty net goal for the top-tanked Lakers (29-2-3, 14-1-1 CHA) who will now await the seedings for the NCAA Tournament that will be announced Sunday night.

Schoedel was named to the CHA All-Tournament Team and finished with a career high 48 saves.

Hillary Pattenden stopped 19 on the other end for MC.

Cockell was named Tourney MVP, joining teammates Baily Bram, Scanzano and defenseman Melissa Lacroix on the All-Tournament Team.

Syracuse forward Lisa Mullan and blueline Gabrielle Beaudry rounded out the tournament team.

In just their second season, the Orange finished with an 18-17-1 overall record, including 8-8-0 in CHA conference play.

Picture courtesy Mercyhurst Athletics.

Mercyhurst vs. Syracuse CHA Championship Notes

#1 Mercyhurst vs. #3 Syracuse 3.6.2010 5:00 PM
City Sports Center, Detroit, MI

Links-

Live Stats
Live Audio
Syracuse Orange Pre-Game Story
Mercyhurst vs. Robert Morris Semifinal Recap

Mercyhurst & Syracuse to meet in CHA Final

After a blowout and and a squeaker, the teams are set for tomorrow's CHA Championship at the City Sports Center in Detroit.

Top-ranked Mercyhurst scored three first period goals and never looked back as they dropped Robert Morris, 7-1, in the first semifinal.

Bailey Bram led the Lakers with a pair of goals and two assists as Mercyhurst moved back into another CHA final.

Melissa Lacriox, Vicki Bendus, Kyleigh Palmer, Ashley Cockell, and Jess Jones also scored for Mercyhurst.

In net, Hillary Pattenden started and stopped 12 shots for the win. She was relieved by freshman Stephaine Ciampa who played the final 3:54 and turned away all 3 shots she faced.

Chelseas Walkland scored the lone goal for the Colonials who were out shot 41-16 for the game.

Daneca Butterfield started in net for RMU, but took an early exit after giving up 3 goals on 5 shots. Kristin DiCiocco finished the final 55 minutes and stopped 32 blasts.

The late game was much closer as third seed Syracuse upended second seed Niagara, 5-3.

The Orange fought back from two, one-goal deficits and took control with three-straight goals in the second period.

Lisa Mullen grabbed first star honors with 2 goals for SU.

Swiss Olympian Stephine Marty, Janelle Malcolm, and Isabel Menard also scored as the Orange won their first ever CHA Tournament contest.

Niagara opened the scoring in each period on goals by Jennifer MacLean, Mery McKinnon, and Jenna Hendrikx.

Lucy Schoedel blocked 19 shots for SU for the victory while on the other end Jenni Bauer stopped 14.

Mercyhurst and Syracuse will meet back in Detroit on Saturday evening with a 5-PM face off for the title.

Colonials bounce Warriors to move on

By Tom Balog

The Robert Morris Colonials won their first ever CHA Tournament game with a 3-1 knockout of the Wayne State Warriors in their quarterfinal match-up at the City Sports Center on Thursday.

Brianna Delaney, Jennifer Kindret, and Dayna Newsom scored first period goals and Daneca Butterfield stopped 14 of 15 shots for the Colonials (11-23-1).

"I thought we came out very prepared and energetic," said RMU head coach Nate Handrahan. "We got out to a quick lead that you need in the playoffs. I thought we weathered some storms in the second period, but still managed to get some chances, and in the third period we were very difficult to play against."

Alyssa Baldin picked up Wayne State’s lone marker, beating Butterfield on the glove side at 8:05 of the first period.

Delayne Brian started in net for Wayne State(9-18-4), but was relieved after giving up three goals on 12 shots. Lindsey Park played the final 42:46 of the game and was perfect in stopping all 13 shots she faced.

Robert Morris will move on to play top seeded and top ranked Mercyhurst in a semifinal match-up back in Detroit at 4 PM on Friday.

Second seeded Niagara will play third seed Syracuse in the late game, slated to face off at 7PM.

Saturday’s Championship game will face off at 5PM on Saturday.

ICE CHIPS…

- Thursday’s loss the last game for WSU senior’s Lindsey Park, Chelsea Burnett, Katrina Protopapas, and Captain Christine Jefferson.

- Alyssa Baldin finished the season with a point in seven of the final eight games.

- RMU has 3 of their last four games.

Mercyhurst vs. Robert Morris Semifinal Notes

#1 Mercyhurst vs. #5 Robert Morris
3.5.2010 4:00 PM- City Sports Center, Detroit, MI

Links-
Live Stats
Live Audio
Mercyhurst Lakers Pre-Game Story
Robert Morris Colonials pregame story

Niagara vs. Syracuse Semifinal Notes

#2 Niagara vs. #3 Syracuse 3.5.2010 7:00 PM- City Sports Center, Detroit, MI

Links-

Live Stats
Niagara Purple Eagles Pre-Game Story
Syracuse Orange Pre-Game Story

Wayne State vs. Robert Morris Quarterfinal Notes

#4 Wayne State vs. #5 Robert Morris
3.4.2010 3:00 PM- City Sports Center, Detroit, MI

Links-
Live Stats
Live Audio
Wayne State Warriors pregame story
Robert Morris Colonials pregame story

CHA Women's Tournament Central

2010 CHA Tournament Schedule

Quarterfinal, Thursday, March 4

#4 seed vs. #5 seed at 3:00 p.m.

CHA Awards Banquet, 7 p.m., Ford Field, Cost is $30 per person.

Semifinals, Friday, March 5

Semifinal #1 at 4:00 p.m.

Semifinal #2 at 7:00 p.m.

Championship, Saturday, March 6

Semifinal winners at 5:00 p.m.