Buffalo State women’s hockey team defeated Utica in an overtime thriller, 2-1, during Maple Ridge’s Lauren Mallo’s final game.

Prior to the game, Buffalo State honoured its five seniors playing in the final home game of their careers. The Thomas Haney Secondary grad was honoured along with four others who are graduating from Buffalo State.

Melissa Ash (Binghamton, NY/Chenanga Valley) netted the game winner with just five seconds remaining in the overtime session to lift Buffalo State (6-16-1/3-11) to a 2-1 win over visiting Utica.

After a scoreless first period, Utica scored at 15:44 to take a 1-0 lead into the second intermission.

Nikki Kirchberger (Buffalo, NY/W. Seneca West) tied the game with less than five minutes remaining in the third, as she scored her team-leading seventh goal of the season off assists from Jen Seguin (Hamilton, ON/St. Jean de Brebeuf) and Ash to force overtime. With five ticks remaining, Ash lofted a shot toward the Pioneers net and the puck dropped in behind the Utica goaltender.

Utica finished with a 33-21 advantage in shots, but the Bengals outshot the Pioneers, 4-2, in the extra session. Both teams were unsuccessful on the power play, with Utica going 0 for 10, while Buffalo State finished 0 for 8. Jordan Lee (Colorado Springs, CO/Widefield) had 32 saves in the win.

Besides Mallo, the other four honoured were: Tara Boliard (Canton, MI/Canton), Courtney Carnes (Winslow, ME/Winslow), Rio Flynn (Winnipeg, MB/Appleby College (ON)), and Seguin.