Saturday afternoon at Bright was a close fought game between the
Crimson and the Tigers.  It was an excellent match in which skill
and physical, but clean play dominated.  Harvard played up to
Princeton and almost won it through the brilliant goaltending of
Erin Villiotte.  In the end, the Maidens of Pain used their superior
skating and passing skills to earn themselves a fine victory.
 
There was no scoring in the first period.  At times Princeton put on
a lot of pressure, including a 5 on 3 power play, but the Crimson
hung tough.  In the second period there was also no scoring.  At
times it looked like the Maidens were on extended power plays despite
playing 5 on 5 hockey.  In the third period Harvard scored first when
AJ Mleczko (Joey Alissi) made an excellent solo effort.  Just on the
ice during a line change, AJ took the puck diagonally across the
Tiger's zone, beating two defenders and deking the goalie out, before
tucking the puck in the net.  Lovely play, lovely goal!  At that
point I wondered if Princeton would be beaten by Villiotte.  Given
a lead and a small amount of time to play, Harvard's goalie can win
games for them.  For a while after the goal, the game was up and down.
But then, Karen Chernisky (Kathy Issel, Sophie Caronello) finished off
a nice play with a one-time shot.  The chance developed off a quick
break in shot.  The rebound went to the backboards where a fine pass
set up the trailer for the goal.  At that point I knew the Maidens of
Pain would win.  Shortly thereafter Whitney Rogers (Issel, Caronello)
scored the winner off a lovely triangulation passing play: backboards
- right slot - left slot: nothing but net.  Both Prineton goals were
marvelous passing plays which left the goalie with no chance.
 
Princeton was not as strong a team as I expected.  Maybe they were
playing down to Harvard's level?  They used two offenses repeatedly.
The one was dump it off the backboards and use the rebound to create
a surprise attack point.  The other was a 1-2 weave up the gut.  Both
plays relied on the trailer for telling rebound/shot.  I think the
Maidens big advantage was playing 3 lines.  It meant they didn't look
tired in the third period, but ready to take it to the Crimson.  The
outstanding player on the ice for Princeton was Sue Reece.  She is a
fabulous skater.  She uses her moves on defense to escape with the
puck.  It was great fun to watch her: lovely player!  Heather Cowans
and Vicki Urbas also had good games on D, filling gaps and breaking
up attacks.  Liz Hill played a strong game in goal and was especially
good at stopping the second or third shot.  Kathy Issel is a superb
player.  Her skating and stickhandling skills are a class act.  I
would only suggest that she uses a longer stick to give her a more
effective reach.  Karen Chernisky is a first-year sniper that reminds
me a lot of AJ.  The difference is that Coach Lisa Brown works her
team on skating, and so Chernisky looks the better talent at this
point.  Mari Fukuda played an excellent game with her speedy rushes
and sharp passing.  Mandy Pfeiffer thrilled the crowd with her oh-la-
la skating and stick work.  A couple of times it was amazing to
watch!  Overall I liked how the Maidens of Pain are playing.  Each
year they are getting stronger and faster.  It will be interesting to
see how far they go in the upcoming playoffs.  Bonne chance Tigers!
 
Harvard played a pretty good game.  It was again foolish to play only
2 lines.  It just meant that the Crimson got more and more tired.
The 3rd line of Harvard could have skated with the 3rd line of the
Maidens.  The outstanding player for the Crimson was goalie Erin
Villiotte.  She played an aggressive game in net.  Her good quick
standup style can be very hard to beat.  Joey Alissi played a great
match.  Her back-checking and general backdrop team work was what let
Harvard stay in this game.  Team Mleczko had a pretty good game.  AJ
provided offense energy and is playing a more complete game.  Winkie
stayed within her game, and was able to close off the Tigers on her
side of the ice and provided break out passes.  Holly Leitzes also
had a good game on D, and made a few good rushes, but overall was a
little too chippy to be effective.  Colleen Malek had several nice
break up plays on D.  Christa Calagione had her moments, but needs
to spend her energy on getting her feet moving and her stick on
the ice.  The biggest drawback for Harvard was lowlighted by
Kellogg's numerous offsides.  It was just indicative of the lazy
skating style the Crimson uses.  The next couple of weeks are going
to be hard for Harvard if they don't skate well.  I think they will
make the playoffs, but they won't go far unless Villiotte can stone-
wall everything, or the Crimson finally take a look at other teams
like Princeton and realize how important skating is.
 
 _____________
/
 good shooting
 rhun
_____________/