Adrian sophomore defenseman Annika Hanson sends the puck up the ice as she’s pinned against the boards by Norwich senior forward Kenady Nevicosi in the Northfield Savings Bank East-West Classic at Norwich’s Kreitzberg Arena. The 2021 Northfield Savings Bank East/West Classic got off to a roaring start with the host Norwich University earning a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Adrian College Saturday at Kreitzberg Arena.
The first period saw the No. 8 Adrian Bulldogs largely control play, outshooting the No. 10 Norwich Cadets 11-4. The Bulldogs opened the scoring early, with a shorthanded goal by sophomore Jocelin Hudanish at the 3:17 mark.
The Cadets came back, though, with a powerplay tally by sophomore Ally Lagrue, who tipped a shot from the point for a goal with four minutes remaining in the period.
While Adrian came out for the second period with the same intensity as the first, it was Norwich who took advantage of their chances.
Senior Morgan Tefft gave the Cadets the lead at 7:36 with a low-angle shot that beat Adrian goaltender Sophie Goldberg before Norwich doubled the lead with a tip from junior Ann-Frederique Guay. The goal was the Cadets’ third tally on just their sixth shot on the net.
Despite the Bulldogs’ early control of possession, the two-goal lead for the hosts changed the complexion of the contest, and the Cadets began to generate more sustained offensive pressure from there.
Adrian reduced the deficit to one goal in the third period, as sophomore Callie Wollschlager found the back of the net on the delayed penalty, but could not convert on the ensuing powerplay to tie the game.
Norwich continued to generate pressure through the third period, and Adrian struggled to find an opportunity to pull Goldberg from the net, but when they did get the extra attacker on it wasn’t enough.
Junior forward Julia Masotta sealed the Cadets’ victory with an empty-net goal at 19:16 of the third period, advancing Norwich to the East/ West Classic Championship Sunday against the defending champion Plattsburgh State. Adrian moved on to the consolation game against Elmira College.
Goldberg made 16 saves on 20 shots in the loss for Adrian, while Norwich goaltender Alexa Berg stopped 26 of 28 shots for the win.
Gallery

Norwich junior forward Ingrid Holstad-Berge carries the puck forward after a rebound as Adrian graduate student Sydney Daversa is left sprawling to the ice behind her in the Northfield Savings Bank East-West Classic at Norwich’s Kreitzberg Arena. Gallery

The Plattsburgh State Cardinals celebrate as they tie the game up with just over three minutes left. In a rematch from the First Light Great Northern Shootout Championship, a couple of weeks the Plattsburgh State Cardinals would host the #9 Norwich Cadets. The game would remain scoreless all the way until the 4:34 mark of the second period when the Cadets would get the opening goal from Isaac Chapman for the 1-0 lead. Then at the 10:23 mark of the period, the Cadets would extend their lead to 2-0 on the Clark Kerner goal. Although at the 14:04 mark of the period the Cardinals would get on the board on the Adam Tretowicz goal to make it 2-1. The Cardinals would keep fighting and with three minutes left in the game, they would find the equalizer from Jacob Moody to make it 2-2. So in the rematch there would be no winner as the game would finish 2-2 after a five-minute 3x3 overtime, With the decision, the Cardinals go to 6-4-2 on the season as Anthony Del Tuffo would make 19 saves on the night. The Cardinals will finish out the first portion of the season on the road against the Morrisville State Cardinals. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Mike Falanga (10) charges in and puts the hit on Norwich's John Barnovetz and rides him into the broads. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Kara Oatman with three attempts from the corner. It would be day 2 of the Cardinal Classic as the host Plattsburgh State Cardinals would take on the Norwich Cadets. The game would start off slow as the defenses would be on their game as the Cadets would have the low 14-10 lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the defenses would stay up as the Cardinals would win it 10-5 and have the 20-19 lead at the half. When the teams came back for the third quarter so did the Cardinals offense as they would explode for a 29-6 quarter and take a 49-25 lead. In the fourth quarter, they would just let it ride and win the quarter 20-19 and secure the 69-44 win. In the winning effort, Mya Smith would lead the way with 16 points as they go to 3-1 on the season and Norwich remains winless in the early season. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Caitlin Kolesar (24) with the layup she lays off the window as part of a five-point night. Gallery

Potsdam State's Bella Barner (30) takes it around defender in the corner and charges the baseline for two of her 8 points. In the second game of the night from the Cardinal Classic, the Potsdam State Bears would take on the Norwich Cadets. The games would start out with the defenses being top-notch as the Bears would have a slim 10-6 lead. In the second quarter, the Bears would start to pull away with a 15-8 quarter and take a 25-14 lead into the half. When the teams came back for the second quarter the Bears came back with their offense as they would be on fire with a 25-7 quarter and pull away with a 50-21 lead. In the fourth quarter, the Bears would stay on the gas with a 22-10 quarter and secure the 72-31 victory. In the winning effort, Madison McCormick would lead the way with 16 points as they even the record at 1-1 on the season while the Cadets are now 0-2 on the season. Gallery

Potsdam State's Mackenzie Moore (23) charges down the paint for the basket. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Kaitlin Drew-Mead (27) slides the puck between the Norwich defender skates on her way to the net. It would be an early-season match-up between a pair of top ten rivals as the #1 Plattsburgh State Cardinals would host the #10 Norwich Cadets at the Ronald Stafford Ice Arena in front of over 500 fans. The visiting Cadets would get the quick opening goal just 1:37 into the game from Ally Lague for the 1-0. That is where the game would stay for the rest of the first period and until the 4:50 mark of the second period when Mattie Norton would tie the game on the powerplay goal. The Cardinals would keep on the pedal and take the lead at the 10:34 mark of the period on the Nicole Unsworth goal to make it 2-1. The Cardinals wouldn't be done though as they would add a third goal at the 16:55 mark on the Annie Katonka goal for the 3-1 game. In the third period, the Cardinals would put the icing on the cake at the 11:08 mark on the powerplay goal by Mattie Norton for her second goal of the night and secure the 4-1 victory. In the winning effort, Ashley Davis would make 19 saves as the Cardinals go to 2-0 on the season. Next up for the Cardinals will be a pair of road games against Buffalo State and Oswego State. Gallery.

Plattsburgh State's Annie Latonka (47) with the flip shot on the rebound for the goal. Gallery.