It was a great day for hockey, as lightly falling snow coated Boston.  The
opening match of the Husky Tournament found the host Northeastern Huskies
dominated by the New Hampshire Wildcats 0-3.  UNH played a fine game of total
hockey, with all of their players either attacking or defending together.  NU
could not find their skating legs.
 
There was no scoring in the first period.  The contest was a tad chippy as the
teams accentuated their checking play.  The Husky Invitational has often
produced great goaltending exhibitions, like the one three years ago, when
Meghan Smith of PC played a couple of sensational matches.  UNH's Alicia
Roberts and NU's Erika Silva both had excellent games in net.
 
In the second, Melisa Heitzman (Nicki Luongo, Michelle Thornton) put UNH on
the board when she tucked home a nice pass from the point.  The play developed
from a face-off.  The Wildcats were beating the Huskies to the puck and were
playing with a ton of energy.  Northeastern was rather lethargic.
 
At the start of the final segment, Kim Knox gave UNH a 0-2 lead when she
drilled her shot, as the NU defense backed in.  The Wildcats continued in
control throughout the third, and finished off the scoring when Brandy Fisher
(Luongo) skated in an empty net goal.
 
I can easily see why New Hampshire is undefeated in the ECAC League.  They
have the best team play.  Every player knows exactly what they are suppose to
do, and they do it with a lot of confidence.  Whether they are fore-checking
to create the turnover or back-checking to stop the other team, UNH plays
exceptionally well together.  Today's win was clinical.  The UNH woman of the
match was fresher Brandi Kerns.  This kid skates great and plays with a
presence that let's her create openings.  Kerns does need to remember to keep
her stick on the ice, but played a brilliant match.  Fellow fresher defender
Winny Brodt also is very talented.  She can overdo it, but when she plays
within her game Brodt anticipates well and can make the subtle pass.  In goal
Roberts made some wonderful quick reaction saves.  Up front Samantha Holmes
filled in well when there was the odd lapse.  The line of Fisher, Sara Cross
and Knox played aggressive, intelligent hockey.  Overall, I can see UNH doing
the double, if not the treble.
 
Northeastern was not on song.  They looked fairly good in the first with their
checking game.  However the Huskies could not take it up a level and get their
skate and pass game running.  The Husky woman of the match was Silva.  The
fresher goalie is always with the puck and made some super saves today.  Keri-
Anne Allan played a heads-up match that let her mark her opponent perfectly.
Allan is playing with a ton of poise and is also moving her team forward.
Fresher Kelly Martin had a go on the blue line today, and looked good.  She
moved the puck around for her mates very well.  The line of Crystal
Baumgartner and freshers Jennifer Santerre and Lisa Giovanelli was the only
line that was moving for NU.  Santerre played with intensity and led her line.
Overall, not the kind of performance I expect from Northeastern.
 
 
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 good shooting
 hungerf
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