Lisa Mullan said she was exhausted. The Syracuse ice hockey team had battled to a scoreless tie with Princeton on Dec. 12, and the clock was ticking down in overtime.

Then, at the end of her shift, Mullan saw her chance. Freshman Isabel Menard gained control of the puck in the Orange zone, and Mullan took off down the left side. She received the Menard pass and glided toward the Princeton net with only one defender in front of her.

Freshman Holly Carrie-Mattimoe hustled down the right side to create a 2-on-1. Mullan looked to pass but instead ripped a wrist shot just over the goaltender’s shoulder. It deflected off the crossbar and down into the goal, giving Syracuse a 1-0 win and a two-game sweep of Princeton.

Since then, the Menard, Carrie-Mattimoe and Mullan line has continued to make major contributions for SU (15-12-1, 6-4 College Hockey America) throughout the program’s second season. Head coach Paul Flanagan said they have become the Orange’s most potent scoring line. And with assistant captain Stefanie Marty’s departure for the Olympics, the young trio should have a big influence on the next stretch of games.

‘There’s some great chemistry there,’ Flanagan said. ‘Sometimes you mix things up on a regular basis, but I think the line right there, we want that chemistry to settle in, and it’s been pretty good.’

All three have played a major role in Syracuse’s improvement this year. Menard ranks 16th in the country with 31 points and has been named CHA Rookie of the Week four times. At one point this season, she had at least a goal or assist in eight straight games.

And of course, her linemates have benefited from her play. She sees the ice well and has the ability to make pinpoint passes to create opportunities.

In the first period of SU’s game against Colgate, Mullan found herself open on the doorstep of the Red Raiders’ goal. Menard, who had the puck in the corner, dumped it in front through a number of bodies and Mullan buried the easy shot.

‘We know where we are on the ice and stuff like that,’ she said. ‘I think they really help me get better and perform well together.’

But the line is not just about the freshman phenom. The threesome has combined for 66 points this year.

Menard may overshadow the performance of her fellow newcomer, but Carrie-Mattimoe has continued to develop throughout her first year at Syracuse. She earned her first CHA Rookie of the Week award on Jan. 12. Her overtime goal against Cornell on Jan. 5 gave the Orange its first-ever win against a ranked opponent.

She and Menard have worked well as linemates despite it being only their first year together.

‘It’s just a matter of having someone who can read defenses,’ Flanagan said. ‘Isabel has great speed. Holly has just a real good knack around the net. She’s smart. They kind of complement each other.’

And the final piece of the puzzle is Mullan. As a sophomore, she is the seasoned veteran of the group. Last year, the forward notched five goals in 28 games. This season, she has already tallied eight scores. Her play, whether it’s a key goal or a physical defensive play, tends to light a fire under the Orange.

Against Wayne State on Dec. 5, Mullan received a pass from Menard in the neutral zone. The sophomore deked her way past one Warrior as she crossed the blueline. As she skated in on goal, another Wayne State defender lunged at her from behind, hoping to poke the puck free. Mullan protected the puck, then deked to the front of the net, sliding the puck through the goalie’s legs for the score.

All three linemates have shown throughout the season that they are capable of highlight-reel plays. And with the loss of Marty, the Orange’s third-leading scorer, more of the same could be necessary if Syracuse hopes to finish strong in its final six games.

But Mullan wants this line to continue its success well beyond the rest of this season. And after what has transpired this season, she believes it will.

‘Both my linemates, we’ve finally found some chemistry together,’ she said. ‘They both click together and click with me. … It’s good to find a line, especially with two freshmen. Hopefully, we can carry that on for the next three years.’

zjbrown@syr.edu

Published on February 3, 2010 at 12:00 pm