Rochester’s offensive explosion started early.

With 9:36 left in the first period, a delayed penalty gave Rochester the opening it needed. After a turnover near center ice led to a collision, the play continued and Sadie Klein collected the puck and slid it over to Paige Wallace, who fired a shot past Evelyn Brown’s blocker side to give Rochester a 1-0 lead.

Rochester didn’t stop there. Annabella Fanale extended the lead just minutes later, and Nela Lopusanova followed up with another tally before the intermission.

“We play like a team, and that was the most important thing,” Lopusanova said. “It’s why we won.”

In the second period, Rochester capitalized on a faceoff win in its offensive zone. Megan Meola fired a shot from the corner that found its way through traffic, and Rhianna Mayer was there to wrist it into the net, increasing the lead to 4-0.

The team added two more goals in the period, one from Lopusanova and another from Miami Jones, making it 6-0 heading into the third period.

The highlight in the third period came from Megan Healy, who netted a shorthanded goal, capping off the win.

Rochester’s offense wasn’t just a one-player show. A total of seven different players found the back of the net.

However, while everyone chipped in, it was Lopusanova who finished with two goals, both of which came on the power play.

“To have that depth is unbelievable, and we always say the points and the offensive side of it doesn’t happen by accident,” said head coach Chelsea Walkland.

With a game like this, it’s easy to think the scoreboard says it all, but for Walkland, the focus was always on the process.

“When it’s your time to be there for the team, that you’re up to the challenge and you’re ready,” Walkland said. “These girls work at their craft every single day, so they’re in the shooting room when no one sees it. They’re doing extra stick work when no one sees it, so when they get to this moment, they’re ready. Everyone shows up and does all those things, so it’s huge.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.