Box Score (PDF)
 
ITHACA, N.Y. – Cornell women's hockey staked a furious third period comeback, tallying three-times in the final period, to best St. Lawrence 3-2 on Saturday afternoon in the second game of the best-of-three ECAC Hockey quarterfinal series. With the victory, the Big Red will move on to the conference semi-finals, which will be hosted at Clarkson for the second consecutive season by virtue of the Golden Knights 4-1 victory over Dartmouth to clinch their quarterfinal series earlier this afternoon.
 
It was a memorable game for what will likely go down as the final game at Lynah Rink for Cornell's unbelievable senior top-line of Jillian Saulnier, Emily Fulton, and Brianne Jenner. The top-line completed the comeback, potting the game-tying and eventual game-winning goals during a scintillating third period for the home side. Junior Anna Zorn sparked the unbelievable rally with an unassisted tally just 2:43 into the period.
 
Fulton capped the Cornell (18-10-3) run, scoring with just 3:18 remaining in the game to give Cornell its first lead. With St. Lawrence (19-12-5) set up with an attacking zone draw, Jenner won the faceoff to Saulnier, who pushed the puck up towards the right point. She beat Saints sophomore defender Kirsten Padalis to the loose puck, chipping it off the wall to herself to start a two-on-one break with Fulton blazing up the right wing in support. Saulnier made a patient play to draw the defender, before labeling Fulton a saucer pass, which the latter hammered into the twine past St. Lawrence's senior netminder Carmen MacDonald to send the raucous crowd that packed Lynah Rink into an absolute frenzy.
 
"It was just a great play by Jill," Head Coach Doug Derraugh said post-game. "She was so patient with the play and Emily made no mistake in hammering home that shot. I'm sure it was a memorable game for all three seniors."
 
The outcome looked well in doubt for most of the afternoon, as St. Lawrence dominated the opening 40 minutes of play. Ellie Williams put the Saints up 1-0 with 9:41 left in the first, as she beat sophomore netminder Paula Voorheis (W, 16-10-3) five-hole on another breakaway opportunity, which were all too prevalent in the series. Jacqueline Wand doubled the lead just 37 seconds into the second period when she chipped a rebound off a Brooke Webster shot over the shoulder of the netminder. The Saints led the Big Red 28-to-13 in shots through two periods. 

The deficit could have easily been more if not for the sensational play of Voorheis. She made 34 stops to keep Cornell within striking distance. The Saints peppered the net with several point-blank scoring opportunities, but the Big Red goaltender remained quiet and confident in the crease. Despite the dominance on the shot chart, the Saints were only able to solve Voorheis twice, taking a firm but hardly insurmountable lead into the final period.
 
"Yeah she was just so strong again tonight," Derraugh remarked. "She is playing really confident and you absolutely need that, especially this time of year."

Entering the third period, the Big Red knew it would need to work quickly if it was going to dig out of the hole from the first two periods. St. Lawrence had not lost a game this season when leading after two periods, posting a 15-0-2 record in such occasions. Despite the stacked odds, the Big Red knew it had the fire power to mount a comeback.
 
The rally was sparked by Zorn, who has been an unsung hero for the squad down the stretch this season. Although she had been held without a goal all year, she broke the ice with a goal in the final game of the regular season against Union. Luckily she did not have to wait as long to tally her second. She made and excellent play to block a shot from St. Lawrence defender Dominique Korakianitis. The puck ricocheted into the neutral zone where Zorn took control on a partial break. She raced into the Saints zone, but Amanda Boulier back checked hard to prevent her from carrying the puck all the way to goal. Zorn reacted, loading up a howitzer of a slap shot that beat MacDonald top shelf to pull the Big Red within one.
 
"It really just started in the defensive zone when I was able to get over into the shooting lane to block the shot. I've always been confident in my shot, just needed to get the monkey off my back last weekend," Zorn said. "She always has had a great shot," Derraugh added earlier. "I know she had an opportunity earlier in the game and the shot kind of took off on her. She came to the bench kind of frustrated after that one, but she hung with it and made a great play. Just a huge goal that really lifted us when we needed it."
 
With the large crowd steadily growing louder, the Big Red fed off the energy in the building and continued to put the pressure on the Saints. The efforts were rewarded with 12:07 to play when Saulnier scored for the fifth time in as many games to equalize the game.
 
With an attacking zone faceoff, Jenner won the draw back to junior blue-liner Cassandra Poudrier at the left point. She launched a slap shot that found its way through traffic and onto the cage. MacDonald made a nice reaction save to kick it to the end boards behind the net. Boulier looked like she was going to win the race to the puck for the clearing attempt, but the spinning puck jumped over her blade causing her to over skate the play. Jenner pounced on the unlucky miscue, corralling the puck at the far side and pulling it back behind the net to the near side. She fed a wide open Saulnier, who was cruising unchecked through the slot, for a one-timer past the glove of MacDonald.
 
The goal raised the noise level in the building to a fever pitch down the stretch. It was a stark contrast from the first two periods, which were filled with cheers from a vocal contingent of supporters that made the trip down from Canton to bolster the visitors. Cornell clearly fed off the energy.
 
"I believe it's the best environment in women's college hockey," Derraugh said. "The Lynah Faithful are the best, the band and the fans, they're like a seventh player for us out there. We really drew from them down the stretch," Zorn remarked.
 
The scene was set for Fulton's heroics, as her goal pushed Cornell into the lead with little time left. The Big Red made it stand up with excellent goaltending and defense, as the home side staved off a furious St. Lawrence charge, as the visitors played with six attackers over the final 2:08.
 
Cornell will now head to a familiar environment for the next round of the ECAC Hockey Tournament when it will take on Clarkson in a semi-final matchup. Game day and time are still to be determined. The Big Red has won the last two matchups between the two squads at Cheel Arena, which includes a 1-0 victory in the ECAC Hockey Championship Game last season.
 
"I think the experience from last season certainly helps," Derraugh concluded. "We will play hard and confident hockey."