Sault College opens national championship with victory

After working out the early nerves of playing in a national championship, Sault College’s women’s hockey team opened the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II national championship tournament on a good note on Tuesday evening.

One of two Canadian-based schools in the tournament, Sault College opened the five-day event in St. Louis, Mo. with a 5-2 victory over the University of New Hampshire Wildcats.

Sault College held a 4-3 shot edge through the opening five minutes of the contest before hemming New Hampshire in their own zone for much of the rest of the opening period, which saw them outshoot the Wildcats 14-4 through the rest of the frame.

Jasmine Groleau opened the scoring for Sault College when she deflected a point shot by Jaydin Zack past New Hampshire goaltender Kristin Weiland on the power play with 1:29 to go in the frame.

New Hampshire would tie the game 20 seconds later when Kayleigh Butler scored on a rebound after Sault College goaltender Gabriella Corbiere made the initial save on Kendall Boniecki on the play.

Sault College pulled ahead for good with three goals in the second period, which began when Erika Beitz jumped on a loose puck in close after Lauren Halcrow’s initial chance was stopped just 3:36 into the frame.

Emma Lee got her first of a pair of goals in the win at 12:31 when she beat Weiland with a shot from the slot.

Kaitlyn Lambert-Mousseau extended the lead to 4-1 at 16:26 when she capitalized on a chance in close, beating Weiland high glove on the play.

New Hampshire’s Sara Carleo cut the lead to 4-2 at 9:25 of the third period when she cut into traffic in the slot from the right wing and beat Corbiere glove side.

Lee capped off the scoring for Sault College when she deflected a point shot from Meagan Daley past Weiland at 16:05.

For Sault College, Corbiere finished the night with 19 saves while Weiland made 39 saves for New Hampshire in a game that saw the Cougars outshoot the Wildcats 44-21.

Sault College returns to action on Wednesday against Vermont before wrapping up round robin action on Thursday afternoon against Assiniboine.

Semifinal games are scheduled for Friday with the tournament final set for Saturday.