Sunday afternoon at Matthews, the Northeastern Huskies and the Brown Bears
played to a 2-2 draw.  Brown used a new look fore-checking scheme that helped
them control the flow of play.  NU periodically passed brilliantly, but lacked
finishing.  A tie suited the run of play.
 
There was no scoring in the first.  Both teams managed to pin the other in
their own zone on and off, but neither team was creating great scoring
chances.
 
In the second, Brown opened the scoring when Carly Regnier (Jordan Jiskra,
Jill Graat) hit home a one-time slapper from the slot.  Regnier was the
trailer on the play and really drilled the loose puck.  Bruno was flying after
they got the lead.  The zebras made themselves look very silly today, but
fortunately had little effect on the outcome of the match.  The Huskies struck
back when Beth Claggett (Sarah Smythe, Betsy Dyke) collected a big rebound and
backhanded her chance over the goalie, high into the net.  Northeastern
continued to make plays, but they just weren't clicking.
 
In the final frame, Bruno scored a power play goal when Jiskra (Graat, Tamra
Jones) was left all alone in the slot.  Graat provided the perfect pass.  In
the dying seconds of the contest, NU had pulled its goalie and was playing 6
on 5 hockey.  Keri-Anne Allan (Hilary Witt, Lisa Giovanelli) roofed her try to
tie the match.  The situation had developed from a face-off, and the set play
was executed to perfection.  In overtime there were few good scoring
opportunities.
 
Brown played an excellent match.  The fore-checking and back-checking control
game looked great on Bruno and left little room for NU to operate.  The Brown
woman of the match was captain Jodi McKenna.  The versatile senior started the
contest up front, and finished it on defense.  At both positions her
perseverance and character lead her team forward.  Regnier had a strong match
making several telling passes and taking her goal well.  The line of Ali
Kenney, Melissa Rennison and Kathleen Kauth played the best as a unit.  They
complimented each other well and established a nice flow.  In goal, Alison
Brewer was always ready and pulled off some huge saves down the stretch.
Defender Julie Iler, when she used her speed, looked super.  She can motor,
and when she's on she can make some amazing interceptions.  First-year blue
liner Cara Gardner plays a smart game.  She can really move with the puck and
has a strong presence on the ice.  Overall, I expect Bruno to have home ice
for the play-offs.
 
Northeastern played well today, but was not moving fast enough to break down
the Brown checking strategy.  The Huskies passing and play development was
strong, but the scoring was not there.  I was very impressed with the line of
Claggett, Smythe and Dyke.  They reacted as a unit to the flow of the game.
Crystal Baumgartner and Kelly Martin also had good outings.  Baumgartner
showed a lot of hustle, while Martin used her shot from the point to good
advantage.  In goal, first-year Erika Silva was calm under fire.  She always
has her angles covered.  Jaime Totten kept things tidy at the back with her
rapid action blue line style.  The Northeastern woman of the match was senior
defender Allan.  Her pursuit and ability to breakup plays was sensational.
Allan also knocked home the tying goal with expert timing.  Overall, although
NU is currently in first place, the Huskies need to finish better.
 
 
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