Box Score

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Melissa Ash scored on the power play at 8:23 of the third period to help the Buffalo State Bengals rally from a two-goal deficit and take a 2-2 tie with the University of New England in a non-league women's ice hockey game Friday evening (Feb. 21) at the Buffalo State Ice Arena.

After a scorless first period, UNE (8-11-5) established a 2-0 advantage on goals set-up by Gabby Crugnale. Shannon Smith got the Nor'easters on the scoreboard at 5:21 of the second, then Marissa Clifford-Biederman lit the lamp at the 12:54 mark to move the visitors up by two. Crugnale's two helpers extended her team lead in the category to 10.

The host Bengals (3-19-2) would cut their deficit in half before the end of the period, however, when Nikki Kirchberger notched her eighth goal at 16:29.

The score remained 2-1 in favor of Big Blue until Ash converted a power-play opportunity just before the halfway mark of the third period.

Quality scoring chances were few and far between in overtime, although the Bengals did have a player advantage for two minutes after an early UNE penalty.

For the game, the Nor'easters led 35-24 in shots on goal. Buffalo State goaltender Jordan Lee turned aside 33 offerings, while Sydney Helmbrecht had 22 saves for UNE.

Both teams face one another again tomorrow (2 p.m.) to conclude the two-game series.