Yale once again gave St. Lawrence all it could handle on Saturday, leading 2-1 late in the second period. But a pair of goals by Emilie Berlinguette just minutes apart, her third and fourth of the series, gave the Saints a lead they would not relinquish.
Abbie Bullard scored an insurance goal on an uncontested slapshot five minutes into the third period and the Saints added two empty-netters in a 6-2 win. The victory earned the Saints (30-3-2) the right to host the ECACHL semifinals and final next weekend. The loss ended the season for Yale (11-15-5).
Yale senior goalie Sarah Love made a heroic effort in the last start of her career, limiting the Saints to one goal on their first 30 shots, before Berlinguette became the senior hero for the hosts.
On a St. Lawrence power play at 17:50, Crystal Connors fed Berlinguette in the high slot, and she fired a slap shot past Love to knot the score 2-2.
Then with nine seconds left in the period, Berlinguette sniped a shot from Love’s right side to put the Saints back on top. Although Love seemed to have the shot under control, the puck hit Nina Resor and bounced past the goal line to put the home team on top 3-2.
The Saints initially gained the upper hand on Yale using their tremendous speed and forechecking abilities. However, Love was back into form after allowing two goals on three shots Friday afternoon. Love turned back each of the Saints’ chances in the early going.
Freshman Alison Domenico put the Saints up 1-0 on the power play when a lucky bounce off a Kate Michael shot set her up with an easy finish.
Yale, who already showed its resiliency on Friday afternoon after falling behind 3-1, tied the game 1-1 at 8:44 of the first period. Sheila Zingler took advantage of a Saint turnover, stealing the puck and firing a wrist shot that beat goalie Jess Moffat low stick side. Yale went ahead 2-1 at 7:50 of the second period when defenseman Carry Resor buried the puck after winning a draw from Crysti Howser, but Berlinguette would not let that lead stand.
