WORCESTER, Mass.  – Just over 24 hours after a back-and-forth tilt between Post University Women's Ice Hockey and Assumption University at the Sports Center of Connecticut, both New England Women's Hockey Alliance conference teams squared off in Worcester, Massachusetts to finish off a home-and-home weekend.
 
Like yesterday, the game would end in overtime, but unlike yesterday, this one would end in a tie after it was the day of the goalies for sophomore Hannah Saunders and junior Carissa Mudrak who matched each other save for save until the game ultimately ended in a 0-0 tie.

THE BASICS

Post University 0, Assumption University 0 (OT)

Post University (7-22-1, 7-16-1 NEWHA)

Assumption University (8-19-3, 8-13-3 NEWHA)

HOW IT HAPPENED  
Like yesterday, the first period would play out in a nearly identical way with both teams being evenly matched up against one another. Things were so even on the scoreboard that both sides finished the first 20 minutes with 13 total shots as well as seven shots on goal apiece. The only categories in which either team led was in faceoffs which Post led 11-8 and in blocked shots which they also controlled narrowly, 2-1. The Eagles also had a power-play chance in the first that would be shut down by junior goalie Carissa Mudrak while sophomore goalie Hannah Saunders matched her on the other end of the ice as the teams headed into the second period with no score.
 
It was all about Saunders and Mudrak in the second period as well with both sides keeping the other off the scoreboard for the middle 20 minutes of play, although offensively speaking it was heavily in Assumption's favor. The Greyhounds would outshoot the Eagles, 22-7 overall and 15-5 in shots on goal while both teams had a power-play opportunity they failed to convert on. Yet again, faceoffs would be close with Post holding a slim 8-6 edge, but neither team would budge on defense as Saunders entered the third with 22 saves and Mudrak with 12 saves.
 
The third would continue to be dominated by the Greyhounds who registered the first 20 shots and first 14 shots on goal of the period over the first 12:44 of the frame. Assumption would have a golden opportunity before that to go in front as they went on a 5-on-3 power-play for about 10 seconds but were unable to capitalize on the initial power-play or the ensuing one after that. With 4:49 left in regulation, Post would go on the power-play for a third time in the game but it would only last 31 seconds before junior defenseman Caisey Van Den Oetelaar drew a roughing call to send the game to a 4-on-4.
 
Despite a resounding 31-5 edge in shots and commanding 20-2 shots on goal advantage, the two teams were headed to a sudden-death 3-on-3 overtime for the second consecutive game. Post would enter overtime with a 4-on-3 power play for the first 1:30 after a roughing penalty issued to freshman forward Ella Rago, a similar scenario happened yesterday after the Greyhounds were penalized 28 seconds into the overtime period and the Eagles were unable to get the game-winning goal until a minute or so after the penalty had expired.

While Post would be unable to convert on that power play either, they would be gifted another one following a slash to freshman defenseman Kaitlyn Cielo. Although the Eagles would hold a gaudy 12-2 advantage in shots on goal and have two power-play chances, nothing would get by Mudrak nor would Saunders let up anything as the two teams would have to settle for a scoreless tie.

BY THE NUMBERS 

• With 44 saves in the game, Hannah Saunders recorded her third career shutout, tying her with Jenna Baumgartner for the most career shutouts by a Post goaltender – With two shutouts this season, Saunders tied teammate Grace Glasrud and Baumgartner for most shutouts in a single season
• This was only the second time this season in which a game for Post University entered the third period without a goal – The previous game came on October 28^th when the Eagles beat Saint Michael's College, 1-0, after Celena Mickevicius' goal in the third
• Having been successful on all four penalty kills of the evening, Post University has now not allowed a power-play goal in three straight games and six of their last seven games – This is the first time since the final game against Mercyhurst and two games against Syracuse back in September in which the Eagles have not allowed a power-play goal in three straight games
• Over the last six games, Post University is 1-for-26 on the power-play while being unable to score on their last 24 power-play opportunities 
• This was the first time Post University has gone to overtime in back-to-back games since last season when they went to overtime against Sacred Heart and Franklin Pierce University where they tied against the Pioneers and beat the Ravens – It was the first time in program history the Eagles went to overtime with the same team in back-to-back contests
• Three of the four regular-season matchups between Post University and Assumption ended up going into overtime this season – It was the first four head-to-head matchups for both programs ever as the Greyhounds just started their program this season
• This is the first time in program history in which Post University has had a game end in a 0-0 scoreless tie

WHO'S NEXT
Post University will prepare for their second straight weekend with a home-and-home series, this time with conference-leading Long Island University starting on Friday night. The Eagles will head on the road for that Friday matchup scheduled for 3:00 PM as they look to get their first win in program history against the Sharks who are 14-0-0 all-time against Post with 6-0 and 4-0 wins earlier this season against them.