PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Junior Georgia McLellan (Kamloops, British Columbia) fired home a rebound midway through overtime to lift Plymouth State University to a 1-0 win over Castleton University in a women's ice hockey game at Hanaway Rink on Friday evening.
 
After more than 60 scoreless minutes, McLellan blocked a Spartans shot which led to a breakout opportunity for sophomore Sophie Streed (Surry, N.H.). Streed's attempt was paddled away, but McLellan gathered the rebound and fired the puck into net for the win. Freshman Amelia Julian (Apple Valley, Minn.) piled up a career-high 40 saves to earn the shutout victory.
 
Plymouth State improves to 3-3-1 with the win, while Castleton drops to 5-5-1. The two teams will meet again tomorrow after in the Panthers' season finale at Spartan Arena.
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 1, Castleton 0 (OT)
  • Plymouth State (3-3-1)
  • Castleton (5-5-1)

Three Stars:

• Plymouth State
  • Amelia Julian (40 saves, shutout)
  • Georgia McLellan (game-winning goal)
  • Sophie Streed (assist)

How it Happened:

• Although the first period didn't feature any scoring, there were plenty of opportunities for both teams. Freshman Jenna Krikorian (Worcester, Mass.) had a chance to put the Spartans up early with a shot from point blank range, but Julian slammed the door.
• The Panthers had an extended power play, including 41 seconds of a 5-on-3, with prime opportunities from freshman Carsen Moffett (Kamloops, British Columbia) and junior Zoe Killisch (Vienna, Austria), but were unable to cash in.
• Castleton's best chance came when senior Ali Stevens (Jefferson, Mass.) picked off a pass in the offensive zone for an easy one-on-one opportunity, but Julian absorbed her wrist shot to keep the score deadlocked heading into the first intermission.
• It was much of the same throughout the second 20 minutes. The Spartans forced Julian into several difficult stops during a power play opportunity midway through the period, but she was up to the task.
• Killisch used some fancy stick work to elude multiple Spartans in her defensive zone before whipping a high wrist shot from just inside the blue line, but senior goaltender Katlyn Hathaway (Pembroke, Mass.) got just enough of the puck to have it nick the pipe.
• PSU's best chance in the third period came when sophomore Addie Swanson (Anchorage, Alaska) stole the puck at the blue line for a breakaway opportunity. She was pulled down from behind as her shot went on net and Killisch's follow up was stuffed.
• Castleton nearly got the win in the opening minute of overtime when junior Ryanne Mix (Pasco, Wash.) hit the pipe on a wrister from the right circle.
• McLellan's blocked shot led to Streed's chance. Although Hathaway poked the puck away with her stick, McLellan followed the play and went top shelf for the win at the 2:34 mark.

By the Numbers:

• Julian's 40 saves were nearly double her previous career high. With the victory she improves to 2-2-0, pitching shutouts in both of her wins. Hathaway dropped to 1-2-1 despite her 24-save effort.
• Castleton held a 40-25 advantage in shots. Killisch led all players with eight attempts.
• PSU finished the night 0-for-5 on the power play, while the Spartans were held scoreless in three attempts.
• Plymouth State has won each of the last two meetings between the two teams, which includes last year's upset win in the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) playoffs.

Up Next:

• The two teams complete the weekend series in Plymouth State's season finale tomorrow (Mar. 20) with a 1:00 p.m. contest at Castleton's Spartan Arena.