Spring Break
Women's hockey team still searching for first Hockey East win
Andrew Callahan
Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: Sports
Making their way up to Orono, Maine this weekend, the UConn women's hockey team (4-4-2) will have its fifth chance to pick up their first in-conference win.
Because of the Huskies' lack of offensive output, the team failed to gain ground against Hockey East rivals New Hampshire and Providence last weekend, despite quality puck movement. Taking out this frustration on the lowly Maine Black Bears (2-7-1) this Sunday at noon could be just what the doctor ordered to pick up a conference win.
The Black Bears are in the midst of an eight-game losing streak, scoring only three goals in their last five games. Ending up on the wrong end of shootouts, after ties with Boston College and Robert Morris, has detrimental to the team's efforts of breaking free from their streak. Head coach Heather Linstad refuses to take them lightly however.
"Well they have a new coach and obviously he continues to build on his recruiting, which will take time," said Linstad. "But even now in their first year, they get after you and they have good team speed. Take those two things on top of the fact they're a Hockey East opponent, and you have a tough matchup. We'll need to play a good 60 minutes against them to win."
Veteran forwards Jennie Gallo and Jenna Ouellette have contributed greatly to the team, coached by new coach Dan Lichterman. Gallo has attempted eight more shots than anyone else on the club this year and leads the team in scoring. Ouellette is the Black Bears' overall points leader and has dished out nine assists so far on the year. She is also third in Hockey East for points per game. Despite the skills of this duo, limiting their chances on the ice won't be a major focus of the Huskies.
"They are two really good players but what we have to do is watch out for their defense," said Linstad. "They like to create a lot of offense from getting the puck back quickly from their defense, getting pucks through and then whacking the bejeezus out of it […] We actually did very well stopping this sort of attack against UNH because they like to do something similar, so this will have to be a point of emphasis against them."
Because of the Huskies' lack of offensive output, the team failed to gain ground against Hockey East rivals New Hampshire and Providence last weekend, despite quality puck movement. Taking out this frustration on the lowly Maine Black Bears (2-7-1) this Sunday at noon could be just what the doctor ordered to pick up a conference win.
The Black Bears are in the midst of an eight-game losing streak, scoring only three goals in their last five games. Ending up on the wrong end of shootouts, after ties with Boston College and Robert Morris, has detrimental to the team's efforts of breaking free from their streak. Head coach Heather Linstad refuses to take them lightly however.
"Well they have a new coach and obviously he continues to build on his recruiting, which will take time," said Linstad. "But even now in their first year, they get after you and they have good team speed. Take those two things on top of the fact they're a Hockey East opponent, and you have a tough matchup. We'll need to play a good 60 minutes against them to win."
Veteran forwards Jennie Gallo and Jenna Ouellette have contributed greatly to the team, coached by new coach Dan Lichterman. Gallo has attempted eight more shots than anyone else on the club this year and leads the team in scoring. Ouellette is the Black Bears' overall points leader and has dished out nine assists so far on the year. She is also third in Hockey East for points per game. Despite the skills of this duo, limiting their chances on the ice won't be a major focus of the Huskies.
"They are two really good players but what we have to do is watch out for their defense," said Linstad. "They like to create a lot of offense from getting the puck back quickly from their defense, getting pucks through and then whacking the bejeezus out of it […] We actually did very well stopping this sort of attack against UNH because they like to do something similar, so this will have to be a point of emphasis against them."
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