PLATTSBURGH — Both teams played championship-caliber hockey, but in the end it was top-seeded Potsdam that escaped with a 2-1 decision over Beekmantown in the Upstate Girls' Hockey League championship game Saturday at Stafford Ice Arena.
Sierra Gagnon had the only goal of the opening period, off a deflection, and Ally Miller added the game-winner midway through the final period for the Sandstoners (20-1-0).
"We came out, played hard and left our heart and souls out on the ice. I couldn't really ask for anything more than that," said Beekmantown coach Ray Guay, who had seven seniors on this year's team. "It hurts right now, but it has been our goal all year to get this far and I thought we really represented ourselves very well this weekend.
"Ultimately, their goaltender was great, as we knew she would be, and we just couldn't get a bounce to go our way. We certainly played well enough to win today; that part's a little frustrating. And it would have been nice to bring home a championship, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be."
Alexis Guay answered Potsdam's first-period goal with an outstanding individual effort from in close, tying the game with just under a minute left in the second period.
Miller put the Sandstoners back in front when she buried a rebound past Christina Emery with 6:28 remaining in the third.
"We knew their goalie gave up some rebounds, and that was something we talked about trying to take advantage of between periods," said Miller. "We also talked about staying patient and waiting for our opportunities. As it turned out, I was just lucky to be in a good position to do that."
Miller, who scored all five of her team's goals in a semifinal victory over Ithaca on Friday, was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
After she gave them the lead Saturday, the Sandstoners were able to hang — but not without some nervous moments down the stretch.
Beekmantown appeared to have the fresher legs late and came within a whisker of sending the contest to overtime in the final few minutes of regulation.
The second-seeded Eagles pulled their goalie with just over a minute left and pressed but were unable to get the equalizer past Abby Tardelli, who played a decisive role in the game's outcome.
The senior netminder for the Sandstoners was brilliant all day long, turning aside 34 of the 35 shots sent her way. Emery was nearly as impressive, finishing with 20 saves for Beekmantown.
The Eagles (19-1-2), who were unbeaten heading into Saturday's finale, have been denied in the championship game three of the last four years.
They outshot the Sandstoners, 35-22, and had an edge in the overall play.
"This was a good battle," Potsdam coach Joe Stark said. "Beekmantown has a lot of talented players, and I thought both teams played very well today. On defense, we wanted to limit their rebounds, tie up sticks whenever we could. And I think, overall, we did a good job with those things.
"At the end of the day, though, I was just happy we were able to get that final goal and grind it out to the finish.
"My hat's off to Beekmantown, though; they have built a great program here and really did an outstanding job hosting this year's frozen four."
Beekmantown's Alexis Guay, Sara LoTemplio and Jessica Huber all turned in outstanding performances in both Friday's semifinal and the championship game and were named to the All-Tournament team.
Along with Miller, Potsdam's Tardelli and Keeley Rice were named All-Tournament.
Potsdam 2, Beekmantown 1
Potsdam 1 0 1 — 2
Beekmantown 0 1 0 — 1
First period- 1, Pots, Gagnon, 8:06.
Second period- 2, Beek, Guay (Waterbury, Kempainen), 14:02.
Third period- 3, Pots, Miller (Grant, Rice), 5:32.
Shots- Beekmantown 35, Potsdam 22
Saves- Tardelli, Pots, 34. Emery, Beek, 20.
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