Box Score

ITHACA, N.Y. – Jillian Saulnier scored twice, then assisted on linemate Brianne Jenner's tap-in goal late in the second period to power the Cornell women's hockey team to a 3-0 victory over McGill on Friday night's exhibition game at Lynah Rink. Jenner finished the night with a goal and two assists, and Emily Fulton had a pair of assists in front of sophomore goaltender Stefannie Moak's 20-save shutout against the defending Canadian Interuniversity Sport champions.
 
Saulnier got the Big Red on the board just 3 minutes, 4 seconds into the game after a terrific play by linemate Brianne Jenner. Freshman defenseman Sarah Knee attempted a give-and-go feed back to Saulnier skating through the neutral zone, but it didn't connect. Jenner never gave up on the play, though, racing to gain control between two McGill defenders inside the blue line before shuffling a pass into the slot for Saulnier. After a little deke to send McGill goalie Brittany Smrke to the ice, Saulnier tucked a forehand between the goalie's legs to give the Big Red a 1-0 lead.
 
Meanwhile, Moak was called upon to make just four saves in the opening frame — including a shot from Stefanie Pohlod that rang off the goalie's mask. The Big Red forced at least six or seven turnovers in the neutral zone to keep the Martlets at bay. When the visitors did gain control in the offensive zone, Saulnier hustled to stick check Leslie Oles — McGill's leading scorer — to thwart a chance in the slot, and sophomore forward Caroline DeBruin blocked Brittany Fouracres' attempted shot on a power play late in the stanza.
 
Cornell pounced with two strikes late in the second period to break the game open. Saulnier's second goal came on the Big Red's first power play of the evening. Saulnier and Emily Fulton worked passes back and forth along the top of the zone before Fulton finally teed up Saulnier for a one-time from just outside the top of the right circle that sailed over a sliding McGill defender and past Smrke's left shoulder before crashing into the back bar of the net with 3:19 to play in the period.
 
Jenner then extended the lead to three goals by finishing off a line rush with 22.4 seconds remaining before the intermission. She gained the zone on the right side before dishing off to Fulton on a three-on-three. Fulton attempted a pass across the slot toward Saulnier, but it deflected off a McGill defender's stick before hitting Saulnier in the skate. Fortunately for the Big Red, the carom went directly to Jenner at the right post for a tap-in.
 
McGill came out the aggressor early in the third period, but Moak wasn't beaten on this night. She slid across to stop Katia Clement-Heydra on a two-on-one in the opening minute. Eleven of her 20 saves came in the third period. Four came against Oles, including a shot from the slot that Moak shrugged off the crossbar and over the net.
 
Cornell (6-6-1) returns to action next weekend with home games against St. Lawrence on Friday, Jan. 9 and Clarkson on Saturday, Jan. 10 at Lynah Rink.