Error during command authentication.
Error - unable to initiate communication with LISTSERV (errno=111). The server is probably not started.
The big match Tuesday night at Matthews between Northeastern and Brown ended up a 3-3 draw. At times the Bear's new edgy-controlled attack looked like it might take over the game. But just when you thought those Huskies were down, they came swooping up the ice. A tie was representative of the play, with neither team having the legs to be totally effective, at this point in time. The first period started slow. There was too much watching and reacting and not enough skating. Gradually the Brown Bears gained the edge as their talented team hung onto the puck and then made the telling pass. Katie King (Joy Woog, Danielle Solari) finished off a lovely series of passes in the NU zone. The perimeter passing was precise and left King with the nice tuck in at the far post. Becky Kellar (King, Woog) made it 0-2 Bears when her power play rebound concluded a series of attacks. Brown was coming at NU with waves of intelligent 1-2's, connecting the points, slots and corners in a wonderful maze of passes. In the second period, the Bears continued to hold onto the puck well and makes their pass-pass-shoot game go, but the Huskies were slowly getting their game together. Kim Haman (Kim Drews) got Northeastern on the board when she hit home her own rebound after a fierce slap shot off a defender. The third period found the Huskies making the score 2-2 when Courtney King (Angela Scerra, Bree Cheatham) shot high to the glove side. The play was a simple break in off a face-off, but highly effective. NU took the lead when Haman went on another solo effort a few plays later. Haman raced into the Bear's zone and following King's fine example roofed the puck high glove side. Brown quickly got its act back together and started pressing. A lovely end to end play was finished off by Solari (King, Kathy Hopkins) after King had waited just long enough to make the exquisite centering pass. In overtime, there was no scoring, though Brown did have some good chances during a power play. The Bears of Brown have some very talented players. They do not have a big squad, and they have no experienced defenders. Last night they were missing a couple of players due to injury. The thing that impressed me with Brown, at this stage, is the new direction their attack has taken. They have more control and a lot more ideas of how to put the puck in the net. I have to think new assistant coach Russ McCurdy has helped them in that area. In goal, junior Libby Witchger was steady and made some fine saves. On defense, first-year player Jodi McKenna was real good. Converted forward Solari could be a jewel in the making back on the blue line. Her skill at carrying the puck along with her wonderful skating ability lets her get out of difficult situations. Add to that the fact that when she is on the ice, it basically means that Brown has a power play attack anytime they break in. Both Molly Driscoll and Kellar got time playing defense. Kellar looked ok, but Driscoll was very uncomfortable. Hopkins was the other Bear converted defender, who also needs time to settle. On the attack, Brown is lead by center King. She is a great player to watch. Speed, power, touch and the smarts to use it. King is a marvelous striker. Her mates Woog and Kellar (Driscoll in the third) were pretty active and always looking to setup the nice play. However, the biggest plus for Brown has to be the transfer of former Polar Bear Nan Gorton. Centering the second line last night, she was incredible. I love to watch her skate. Gorton is a real dynamo. Add to that, her best play last night was really when she jumped on the ice and gunned back to break up a Northeastern attack, and you may understand why the Bears could win it all. Andrea Boudreau and first-year player Kristin Basford filled out the second line and both played well. Overall, a fair start for the Brown Bears. They don't have many "support" players, but they do have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to skillful attackers. Northeastern's biggest problem right now is team speed. Last night there wasn't much. There were too many players watching, and too few skating. Kim Flatt made some big saves to keep NU in the game, but at times did not stand up and face the shooter. Cheatham made a series of memorable rushes last night, in an attempt to get the team moving. She is really turning it on! Keri-Anne Allan also played a big game. She got caught out a couple of times, but her quick reads got her back in the play defensively and offensively. Kim Drews also played a strong match. Her skating and strength helps balance the team. On offense, Haman again was the leader. Her opportunistic rushes and setups are what got NU the draw. In fact she almost won the game. The only other Husky forward that showed much life was Courtney King. Her efforts on the ice leads her line and makes the team that much stronger. I'll have to say that overall Northeastern did not look good last night. The play in their own zone was poor. They let the trailer coming in from the point kill them all night. Still they must be somewhat happy at coming back on a bad night. I think both teams are going to have to try some different line combinations, if they expect to get the most out of the talent they have. Last night, neither team had a good blend. I saw several players on both teams not being used effectively and mainly because they need a mate in order to open up situations. My guess is that both coaches will be making changes. The added treat last night was getting to watch some of the best players in women's hockey. Katie King, Danielle Solari, Bree Cheatham and Nan Gorton all should be on Team USA Women real soon. If they get some proper coaching, TUSAW could give Team Canada some- thing to think about, with players like these. I would add there were a couple of other players last night (Woog, Scerra, Kellar ...) that are not that far from making the leap to becoming "big" players. _____________ / good shooting rhun _____________/