While Syracuse’s offense generated shots, 52 in all, SU struggled to finish its chances. But the Orange’s first line came through, slipping two shots past Hanna Ehresmann, Penn State’s goalie.

SU’s first line carried the Orange’s offense in a 2-2 tie against Penn State (3-4-3, 0-1-1 College Hockey America) scoring both of SU’s (2-3-5, 1-0-1) goals. Jessica Sibley and Alysha Burriss each tallied goals and Julie Knerr notched an assist. The three were the only SU forwards to record points against Penn State and the rest of the team was scoreless on 37 shots.

Sibley, Burris and Knerr haven’t always shared the ice, though. After Clarkson blew out SU 9-0 on Oct. 24, head coach Paul Flanagan made line changes to shake things up.

Since an Oct. 25 matchup with Clarkson, the trio has stuck together on the same line. Knerr, who started the season as a third-line center, moved out to the right wing. Flanagan broke up the freshman line of Burriss, Emily Costales and Stephnie Grossi.

Grossi had played center on that line with Costales and Burriss on the wings, but Flanagan switched up the line to move Costales to center, a more natural position, he said.

“We’re just trying different things. Sometimes, you know, flip a coin,” said Flanagan, jokingly.

For the most part, “flipping a coin” worked on Saturday. Together the first line took 15 shots on net and 10 came from Sibley. Flanagan felt Sibley and the team could have found more opportunities, but was happy with the overall effort.

Five minutes into the game, Sibley’s pass from the point found Knerr’s stick. She ripped the puck at Ehresmann from between the left circle and the net and Burris recovered the rebound. Burriss skated a bit to the right and flung the puck past Ehresmann for 1-0 lead.

With just over a minute left in the first period, defender Kaillie Goodnough fired a shot at the net from the point and Ehresmann momentarily caught the puck in her midsection. She then dropped the puck, a scrum ensued and Sibley poked the puck, sliding it underneath Ehresmann into the net for a 2-1 lead.

“I was really comfortable with my first line too and now the chemistry is starting up with the second line and we’re just starting to find out where each other (are) and where we’re going to be,” Burriss said.

The chemistry has shown on the stat sheet, too. One or more players in the trio has recorded at least a point in the last three games.

A week of practice and those three contests together has done the trick for SU thus far.

Said Sibley: “It’s always good to help the team out in some way, so it’s nice as a line, just starting out together. It was good for us to get some confidence.”

Published on November 1, 2014 at 10:28 pm

Contact Chris: cjlibona@syr.edu | @ChrisLibonati