Sunday night at warm Matthews Arena saw the Friars take the ECAC
League title when they won the match with 23 seconds left in over-
time.  It was a hard skating and physical, but clean game.  Both
the Huskies and PC used team D to dominate play.
 
The first period saw slow action and tons of fore-checking.  The
second period found a quicker tempo and periods of pressure by both
teams.  By the third period I had decided these teams were playing
for a nil all draw.  In overtime everything changed.  That five
minutes was filled with action as all of a sudden the teams wanted
to win the match!  Northeastern went close with Shelley Looney and
Kim Haman.  PC countered with a quick break by Alana Blahoski.  The
Huskies came right back with Jeanine Sobek and Haman.  And then, after
a some extended pressure by Northeastern, Alison Wheeler (Wendy
Cofran) went in on a break away, deked the goalie and pick the far
side of the net.  It was a good win for PC giving them the league
title in the last seconds of the last game.
 
Providence played a very conservative game.  Not much was committed to
the attack.  Chris Bailey was wonderful on defense for PC.  Her end
to end solo rush at the end of the second period was something!  WOW!
Alison Wheeler played a smart game, always being there for a rebound
just in case.  Alana Blahoski's break in speed came close to being
effective a couple of times.  Melissa Mills filling in at D had a
another strong match.  Her skating and power are great.  Wendy Cofran
might be the Friars secret weapon.  She just looks like she's ready to
burst forward at any point in time.  Her skating speed is so good.  I
look for PC to do very well in the playoffs, if they choose to attack
in force.
 
Northeastern also did not commit enough to the attack.  Too much
checking and stopping, instead for getting on with the fluid moves
which is what makes the Huskies so lethal.  Bree Cheatham had a strong
night on D.  She made a couple of rushes and passes that almost got
NU moving.  Shelley Looney was her usual flying self, but seemed
caught up with the checking part of the game.  Jeanine Sobek made a
number of good plays, but the team could have used her extra special
stuff if they were going to win the match.  Katherine Wyman made
numerous good plays on defense.  All in all, it was a good showing,
and the Huskies did come close to winning this one.  In the playoffs
they need to get back to their let-it-rip style.  When Northeastern
flies, other teams often can only watch.
 
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 good shooting
 rhun
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