AMCATS Push Salem State To 1-1 Draw

PAXTON, MA - Despite a power-play goal from Sophia Zimmerman (Crystal, MN) who tied the contest, Anna Maria could not break the 1-1 score with the Salem State Vikings as the game ended in a 1-1 draw Saturday afternoon at the New England Sports Center.

BASICS

- Date: February 8, 2020

- Score: Anna Maria 1, Salem State University (SSU), 1

- Records: Anna Maria (2-16-2), Salem State University (3-17-2)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the first period, Anna Maria had multiple chances to score early on when they peppered Vikings goalie, Dana Smullen (Peabody, MA) with four shots but she turned away each of them to maintain the shutout. 
• The AMCATS defense also had a strong stand at 14:35 in the first when SSU went on an early powerplay, but Julia Smith (Chillwack, BC) denied the three Vikings shots to end the extra skater advantage.
• However, just before the period ended (18:43), SSU broke the scoreless tie after Julia Dares (Hanover, MA) corralled a loose puck at the Vikings end. As she skated up the ice, she found Casie Curtin (Wrentham, MA) who snuck the puck past Smith stick side and gave SSU a 1-0 advantage.
• Anna Maria utilized a strong second period as the squad outshot SSU, 13-12. After being unable to get their first 11 shots of the period past Smullen, the 'CATS generated a powerplay opportunity at 15:18. 
• Sara Sammons (Western Australia, AUS) got a shot off early in the advantage (15:32) but Smullen made the save. It was 10 seconds later (15:42), when Anna Maria capitalized and evened the contest at one. Sammons saw a loose puck behind the SSU net and when she looked up, she found Zimmerman near Smullen's stick side as she tapped the puck past Smullen for the goal. 
• Two minutes later (17:27) the AMCATS had a big chance to take the lead after they had a five on three advantage to try and break the 1-1 tie. Anna Maria had four shots during the two skater advantage that included three great looks; two from Annabelle Austin (Anchorage, AK) and one by Julianna Acosta (North York ON). However, Smullen stopped the 'CATS each time and maintained the tie headed into the third period. 
• Just 20 seconds into the third period, Anna Maria had a chance to quickly pull ahead after Grace Dodge (St. Paul, MN) sent a shot on net but Smullen again made the save. SSU also had their chances for the go-ahead goal that included a powerplay chance at 4:03. The Vikings put four shots on net but Smith stood up to the task and stonewalled each attempt and kept the squad in the game. 
• Before overtime started, SSU drew another powerplay with two seconds left in the third and headed into the extra time with a five on four advantage. The Vikings put four shots on net with three of them via the powerplay. Despite those shots, Smith made sure none of the SSU attempts went in and secured the 1-1 draw. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

- Smith drew the start and collected 45 saves which marked her sixth game of 40 or more saves.

- Zimmerman's goal has her tied for the team-lead (four). Two of her goals this season have come by the powerplay. 

- While each school had the same number of powerplays (three), it was Anna Maria who scored once during the chances. Meanwhile, the AMCAT shut down each of the Viking's powerplays. 

- For the visitors, Smullen earned the start and had 26 saves in the contest. 

- The Vikings outshot the 'CATS, 46-22 on the afternoon.

WHAT'S NEXT

Anna Maria goes back on the road traveling to SUNY Canton on Friday, February 14 at 4 PM. Salem State continues its road trip facing Plymouth State on Friday, February 14 at 6 PM. 

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