This past weekend the Lions took on the RIT Tigers in a two games series that started Friday night. The Lions came into this series with a record of 3-12-1 on the season while the Tigers came in with a record of 7-7-3 on the season. The Lions’ struggles would continue dropping both games to the Tigers.
The first game saw the Lions fall behind really early in the opening period. It only took the Tigers 31 seconds to score on a breakaway. Less than two minutes later, the Tigers would score again to make it 2-0 at 2:09. Then, at 12:55 off of a one-timer the Tigers would make it 3-0. The Lions would be held scoreless in the first period. The Tigers outshot the Lions 19-9 in the frame.
The first minute of the second period proved to be a problem for the Lions again as the Tigers would find the back of the net just 35 seconds into the period. The Lions would get on the board at 3:37 with a one-timer goal by Josey Dunne assisted by Sydney Rarick and Tatem Starlight-Yellowfly. Then at 13:24 the Lions would score again. This time it was a goal by Zsofia Pazmandi on the power play assisted by Ellie Muscedere and Silje Gundersen. However, the Tigers would score two more goals before the time in the period expired, giving them a 6-2 lead after two. The Tigers outshot the Lions 12-11 in the second.
RIT would add another goal at 5:36 of the third period on the power play. At 12:03 the Lions would score to make the score 7-3. The goal was scored by Pazmandi. The Tigers would add two more goals giving them nine for the game. The Lions would score again with 16 seconds left in the game, but the final score was 9-4 for the Tigers. The Tigers outshot the Lions 13-10 in the third and 44-30 for the game.
The Lions used three different goalies in this game, first it was Madison Bowtell who stopped 16 of 19 shots that she faced in the first period. Then she was relieved by Anna LaRose who stopped seven of the 10 shots that she faced in the second. She was relieved by Cathrenie Hodgins who stopped 12 out of the 15 shots that she faced in the loss.
The second game of the series, which took place on Saturday, saw the Lions jump out to an early 1-0 lead. The goal was scored by Molly Henderson just 47 seconds into the game assisted by Muscedere. The Lions would hold the Tigers scoreless in the first period. The Lions outshot the Tigers 11-5 in the frame.
In the second the Lions would score first again to go up 2-0. The goal was scored by Quinn McLaren assisted by Pazmandi and Muscedere. However, the Tigers would score three unanswered goals to take a 3-2 lead into the third period. The Tigers outshot the Lions 20-7 in the period.
RIT would score the only goal of the third period and win the game 4-2. The Tigers outshot the Lions 9-7 in the third and 34-25 for the game. Lions goalie Hodgins stopped 30 of the 34 shots that she faced in the loss.
After being swept the Lions fall to 3-14-1 on the season and have a record of 2-6-0 in conference play. The Lions will have a near month break then return home to face off against Minnesota State, Mankato on Jan. 3rd and 4th at Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights Missouri.
