GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith ice hockey team scored twice in the second period and never looked back as it knocked off St. John Fisher 2-0 in its season opener at The Cooler this evening.
Four different Herons recorded a point in the victory. Junior
Mia Iwicki got the start in goal and made 25 saves as she earned her third career shutout.
Brynn Bacak played just under 58 minutes in goal for St. John Fisher (2-1-0). She made 47 saves. Bacak had only faced 40 shots in Fisher's first two games.
FOR OPENERS
- Now in its 11th season, William Smith is 7-3-1 all-time in season openers.
- It was William Smith's first shutout and third overall in an opener since beating Potsdam 6-0 to start the 2021-22.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- William Smith finished the game with a 49-25 advantage in shots on goal.
- Both teams were 0-for-5 on the power play.
GAME MOMENTS
- William Smith finished the first period with a 16-7 advantage in shots on goal.
- Five of the Cardinals' seven shots in the frame came on the power play.
- Sophomore Bella Hacker broke the deadlock at the 6:18 mark of the second period. She collected a pass from Maddie Twombly, broke down the left wing and wristed a shot past Bacak. Madeline Diglio also had an assist on the goal. It was Hacker's fifth career game-winning goal.
- Senior captain Kelly Howe gave William Smith a 2-0 lead just over 16 minutes into the middle stanza. She picked up a loose puck below the goal line and flipped a shot past the Fisher goalie.
- St. John Fisher had a 13-12 advantage in shots on goal in the third period but could not sneak a shot past Iwicki.
- The Cardinals mounted pressure with extended offensive zone time in the final two minutes when they pulled Bacak in favor of the extra attacker, but only mustered three shots on goal.
UP NEXT
The Herons and Cardinals will wrap up the regular-season series Saturday, Nov. 7, when they head to Fairport, New York. St. John Fisher's first varsity home game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
