Spring Break
Red-hot UConn sweeps N'eastern
Jake Goldberg
Issue date: 1/26/09 Section: Sports
The UConn's women's ice hockey team defeated Northeastern twice this weekend, 4-0 at home Friday and 1-0 in Boston Saturday. The No. 8 Huskies (17-7-2, 9-4 Hockey East) were led on Friday night by captain Dominique Thibault's hat trick and avenged an early season loss to Northeastern.
Senior goalie Brittany Wilson was able to turn away 44 shots en route to two consecutive shutouts. The defensive units kept the area in front of the net clean all weekend and were able to flip the ice several times to start offensive rushes.
"We have been getting better at playing at our tempo and style," UConn coach Heather Linstad said. "We have stressed that when we have the puck every player is on offense and the same goes for defense."
Friday night saw UConn defenders Cristin Allen and Rebecca Hewett make several impressive end-to-end runs with the puck and create their own offense.
Thibault, Hockey East's top goal scorer, was on full display for the fans Friday night, as she easily weaved in and out of defenders on her way to the goal. Northeastern had no answer for her either night as she combined for four of UConn's five goals.
The third line for UConn once again showed itself to be extremely valuable. Last season UConn had difficulty with its third line and was disadvantaged when they were on the ice.
"Our third line played really well and its something that we are definitely going to need down the stretch; they are very important to our success," Linstad said. "They make it so we have good depth and we can carry our momentum throughout our line switches."
UConn were able to put in a shorthanded goal off the stick of Michelle Binning. The special teams for UConn have certainly improved throughout the season. When they are shorthanded they are still a threat to score and more importantly they play tough defense as they did Friday night.
UConn persistently held a strong fore-check all night and was able to stifle Northeastern with pressure, causing several turn-overs. In Friday's game, Northeastern was slower on their skates and grew frustrated with the relentless Huskies.
UConn has now won 11 of their last 12 games and are playing their best hockey of the season.
During this streak, UConn has defeated five conference foes, as well as a Harvard team that was ranked in the top 10 at the time.
Senior goalie Brittany Wilson was able to turn away 44 shots en route to two consecutive shutouts. The defensive units kept the area in front of the net clean all weekend and were able to flip the ice several times to start offensive rushes.
"We have been getting better at playing at our tempo and style," UConn coach Heather Linstad said. "We have stressed that when we have the puck every player is on offense and the same goes for defense."
Friday night saw UConn defenders Cristin Allen and Rebecca Hewett make several impressive end-to-end runs with the puck and create their own offense.
Thibault, Hockey East's top goal scorer, was on full display for the fans Friday night, as she easily weaved in and out of defenders on her way to the goal. Northeastern had no answer for her either night as she combined for four of UConn's five goals.
The third line for UConn once again showed itself to be extremely valuable. Last season UConn had difficulty with its third line and was disadvantaged when they were on the ice.
"Our third line played really well and its something that we are definitely going to need down the stretch; they are very important to our success," Linstad said. "They make it so we have good depth and we can carry our momentum throughout our line switches."
UConn were able to put in a shorthanded goal off the stick of Michelle Binning. The special teams for UConn have certainly improved throughout the season. When they are shorthanded they are still a threat to score and more importantly they play tough defense as they did Friday night.
UConn persistently held a strong fore-check all night and was able to stifle Northeastern with pressure, causing several turn-overs. In Friday's game, Northeastern was slower on their skates and grew frustrated with the relentless Huskies.
UConn has now won 11 of their last 12 games and are playing their best hockey of the season.
During this streak, UConn has defeated five conference foes, as well as a Harvard team that was ranked in the top 10 at the time.
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