DOING IT FOR DENNA: Princeton University women’s hockey player Molly Strabley flies up the ice in action this weekend. Last Saturday, junior defenseman Strabley scored a third-period goal to help Princeton defeat St. Lawrence 4-3 in overtime.  The Tigers bought special inspiration to the game as the program held Denna Laing Day to honor and raise funds for its former captain, who suffered a spinal injury in the Winter Classic. The Tigers, now 20-6-1 overall and 13-6-1 ECAC Hockey, wrap up regular season play this weekend by hosting Rensselaer on February 19 and Union on February 20. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Fans all over Baker Rink were supporting “14 Strong” orange and black beanies last Saturday as the Princeton University women’s hockey team held Denna Laing Day to honor and raise funds for its former captain who suffered a spinal injury in the Winter Classic.

Laing’s resilience, persistence, and upbeat attitude has inspired the hockey world. A message from Laing ’14, who is currently paralyzed below her waist, was broadcast at the rink before the game as she thanked everyone for their support and ended her talk with “Go Tigers.”

Princeton junior defenseman Molly Strabley, a close friend of Laing’s, said the words from the former team captain inspired the Tigers.

“I think it motivated us a lot, she is a great girl,” said Strabley. “She is fighting this with a huge smile on her face and a ton of resilience.”

Coming off a tough 2-1 loss to No. 5 Clarkson, the eighth-ranked Tigers had to show resilience as they fell behind St. Lawrence 1-0 after the first period, getting outshot 18-7 in the process.

“I think losing yesterday never bodes well right off the bat but after that we came back strong and turned it around,” said Strabley.

During the first intermission, the Tigers talked about playing their game and they responded with two goals in the first 4:42 of the second period.

“It was just get back to the basics and do what we do well,” said Strabley.

“We were moving the puck well and I thought we got the momentum back and from there I thought we took it to them for most of the second and carried into the third for the most part.”

St. Lawrence scored last in the second period to knot the game at 2-2. Strabley broke the tie when she hit a shot from the point that ricocheted into the net.

“It wasn’t the best shot,” said Strabley with a laugh. “Right when it came off my stick I was oh shoot but it bounced and hit someone in the head and it went in so it worked out.”

The Saints battled back to make it 3-3 and the teams headed into overtime. In one final show of resilience, Princeton prevailed in the extra session as junior star Kelsey Koelzer scored 25 seconds into overtime.

“It was positive, we wanted to get the two points,” said Strabley “It is huge for playoffs and home ice. It was not do or die but we were trying to win and not tie.”

The win, which improved Princeton to 20-6-1 overall and 13-6-1 ECAC Hockey, reflected its never say die attitude this winter.

“I think we definitely are resilient and our core word is relentless,” said Strabley, a 5’5 native of Yarmouth, Maine.

“I would say that is a great embodiment of our team. We take that to heart and we really follow through on that.”

The team’s heartfelt communications with Laing have given it extra motivation.

“She has been giving us good messages,” said Strabley, noting that the team and Laing have been connecting through FaceTime conversations.

“It is good to have the support from her, we have her back and she has our back. I have been talking to her a lot, we are really close. I played for her dad at Assabet Valley (club program) so I know her pretty well.”

Princeton head coach Jeff Kampersal acknowledged that Denna Day triggered some deep emotions.

“It was a little draining, the announcement gave me chills so I am sure that affected a lot of the kids,” said Kampersal. “They didn’t have a good first period but after that they got better.”

Kampersal lit a fire under the players in the first intermission and liked the way they heeded his words.

“I gave it to them a little bit between periods and they came out on fire in the second period in the first five minutes,” said Kampersal.

“They couldn’t keep that intensity the whole time but they hung in there and didn’t get rattled when St. Lawrence tied it 3-3. They kept on going and Kelsey came through which was nice.”

Kampersal credited Strabley with hanging in there, playing through pain.

“Molly is battling through injuries, it was even debatable whether she was going to play tonight or not,” said Kampersal. “That was a big goal for her.”

The team’s battling spirit this winter has impressed Kampersal. “They are relentless, they really are,” said Kampersal. “That is the motto that they chose this year and they have stuck with it so even if we are up two or down two, they still play hard.”

With Princeton hosting Rensselaer on February 19 and Union on February 20, currently tied for third in the ECACH standings with the first four teams getting home ice in the upcoming playoffs, Kampersal is looking for his players to be even more relentless at the offensive end.

“They still need to shoot the puck more,”  said Kampersal. “There are plenty of times when we could shoot it and they decide to pass off so it is something that we will work on this week.”

Strabley, for her part, is primed for a big weekend. “Winning both of those would be great for a home playoff series,” said Strabley.

“We are going to keep pushing through and stick to the basics and do what we do best.”