Fourth-ranked Middlebury skated to a 1-1 tie with top-ranked Elmira Saturday in the opening round of the Panther/Cardinal Classic, as the Panthers (2-0-1) advanced to the championship game by winning a shootout 1-0. Middlebury plays for the title on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. against the fifth-ranked Adrian, a 1-0 winner over second-ranked Plattsburgh State. The Soaring Eagles (5-0-1) will play in the consolation game at 2:00 p.m.

Elmira got off to a fast start, taking the first couple shots of the game. The hosts were awarded a power play with 15:34 on the clock, but the Soaring Eagles muted the chance without allowing a shot. Panther goalie Lin Han made her best save of the opening frame with 11:35 remaining, kicking out her left pad while on the ice, denying a shot from Morgan Mordini.

The visitors scored 40 seconds after Han's save, as Shannon Strawinski poked in a rebound on a shot by Jessica Adams with just over nine minutes expired. Middlebury's best chance came on a turnover inside the Elmira zone with just over two minutes left. Katarina Shuchuk pounced on the free puck, but her quick shot sailed wide.

In the middle frame, Middlebury cashed in on an early power-play chance to tie game with 1:41 expired. The Panthers worked the puck around the point to the right circle where Eva Hendrikson used a good screen in front by Jenna Letterie for her first collegiate tally.

Each team had a quality chance to jump back in front, with Middlebury's Meghan Keating shuffling a backhander from the slot off the blocker Elmira goalie Stephanie Martin. The visitors had two opportunities back to back from point-blank range, but Han slid to her right to stop Maddie Evangelous and Maddy Jerolman's follow-up bid.

Elmira survived a 5-on-3 Middlebury power play for 1:03 of game time midway through the final period, with Martin making two key saves during that stretch. The Panthers held off a pair of late power plays in the closing minutes with Madie Leidt and Jenna Marotta keeping the puck pinned in the Soaring Eagle end of the ice, while Han made two late saves to send the game into overtime.

In the extra five-minute session, Elmira controlled play thanks to its fourth power play. Han made four stops, while Jerolman rang a shot off the right post.

With the game finishing in a tie, Middlebury moved into the championship game, as Anna Zumwinkle was the lone player to score in the three rounds of the shootout with a high shot over Martin's right shoulder.

Han stopped 31-32 shots for the Panthers, while Martin turned aside 21-22. Middlebury scored once in seven power-play opportunities and the Soaring Eagles came up empty in four attempts.