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BIDDEFORD, Maine – Sarah Zeidan gained possession of the puck at the opposite blue line and took it the distance to score the game-winning goal in overtime as the Nichols College women's ice hockey team defeated the University of New England, 3-2, in a Commonwealth Coast Conference match and the 7th Annual Teddy Bear Toss at the Harold Alfond Forum on Friday night.
 
The game was played in front of a record crowd of 729, breaking the mark of 690 set during last year's event.
 
The Nor'easters (6-10-1, 5-5-1 CCC) fell behind early as Kayla Currin connected with Lauren Rokala for a goal 3:23 into the first period. But Maeve Crehan knotted the game for UNE with the Teddy Bear Toss goal at the 8:06 mark of the opening frame [Watch]. Piper Desorcie found Crehan with a pass across the crease to setup the tying goal. Anna O'Neill also assisted.
 
Carolyn Curley banked a shot off the crossbar and in to give UNE the lead at 2-1 with 4:08 to play in the first period [Watch]. McKenna Remillard and Eliana Kane provided assists, and the Nor'easters took that one-goal lead all the way into the third period.
 
The Bison began the third with a flurry of shots in front. Delanie Corcoran made five saves in the opening 1:23, and Jamie DuPont also blocked an open net to keep the Nor'easters ahead. However, with 12:19 to play, Rebecca Taylor tied the game for the visitors as she took it coast-to-coast through a few UNE defenders to score.
 
Both teams had chances down the stretch. Victoria Bakopanos stopped three close-range attempts by the Nor'easters late to help send the game into overtime. She finished with 37 saves in the victory.
 
UNE held a 39-31 advantage in shots, but the Bison controlled the final period and overtime by a 16-11 margin. Corcoran had 29 saves for UNE.
 
The Teddy Bear Toss is an annual tradition put on by the Harold Alfond Forum Building Managers in support of the United Way of Southern Maine.
 
The teams are back in action in Burrillville, R.I. tomorrow afternoon at 4:40 p.m.