Pellicci Ace Hardware shuts out Lake Cowboy 3-0, improves to 2-0

Two of the Celly League's perennial contenders renewed their rivalry Tuesday night as Pellicci Ace Hardware and Lake Cowboy squared off in an early-season showdown at Braemar Ice Arena. Both teams entered the contest undefeated after opening-night victories, with Ace Hardware defeating Tradition Black 4-1 and Lake Cowboy edging Hepp's Salt 2-1.

In a matchup featuring two teams expected to contend for the Celly Cup once again, it was Ace Hardware that seized control early and never let go.

Ace opened the scoring 9:30 into the first half when Ellie Zakrajscheck (Dartmouth) finished off a play created by Sydney Leonard (New Hampshire). Leonard's relentless forecheck forced a turnover deep in the offensive zone before finding Zakrajscheck for the game's first goal and a 1-0 Ace advantage.

The pressure continued just minutes later. Leonard doubled the lead with a skilled backhand redirection while driving toward the net, converting a feed from Jackson Kinsler (Syracuse) to make it 2-0.

Ace Hardware wasn't finished.

With 8:36 remaining in the opening half, Sawyer Fleming (Princeton) extended the lead to 3-0, finishing a setup from Grace DelMonico(Hamline) as Ace completed a dominant first-half performance.

Lake Cowboy, meanwhile, struggled to generate consistent offense against one of the league's premier goaltenders.

After being outshot 20-10 in the opening half, Lake Cowboy pushed back in the second, generating 16 shots and carrying much of the play in an attempt to cut into the deficit. But every challenge was met by Sedona Blair (New Hampshire).

Blair, a longtime dominant force between the pipes in the Celly League, turned aside all 26 shots she faced to record the shutout and preserve Ace Hardware's second consecutive victory to open the season.

Ace Hardware finished with a 32-26 edge in shots on goal and improved to 2-0 on the young season, while Lake Cowboy suffered its first loss after opening the year with a win over Hepp's Salt, falling to 1-1 on the young season.

Final Score: Ace Hardware 3, Lake Cowboy 0
Shots on Goal: Ace Hardware 32, Lake Cowboy 26

Ace Hardware Goals

• Ellie Zakrajscheck (Dartmouth) from Sydney Leonard (New Hampshire)
• Sydney Leonard (New Hampshire) from Jackson Kinsler (Syracuse)
• Sawyer Fleming (Princeton) from Grace DelMonico (Hamline)

Goaltending

• Sedona Blair (New Hampshire): 26-save shutout for Ace Hardware.