Women’s Hockey: Catamounts Drop Hockey East Quarterfinal Opener at Northeastern

Posted on by George Commo

BOSTON, MA. –– Top-seeded Northeastern (29-4-2, 24-3-0 HEAW) rattled off four goals in the third period to defeat eighth-seeded Vermont (10-17-8, 7-14-6 HEAW) 5-1 in Game 1 of the Hockey East Quarterfinals.

COACH’S QUOTE
“We played two great periods, but unfortunately Northeastern got the better of us in the third,” said head coach Jim Plumer. “I’m proud of the effort to limit their offense in the first 40 minutes. We have to play a full 60 tomorrow.”

HOW IT HAPPENED
Matti Hartman opened the scoring for the Huskies 4:50 into the first period. The senior snuck a low shot under the blocker of Blanka Škodová (21 saves) for her eighth marker of the season. Mia Brown was credited with the lone assist.
UVM outshout Northeastern 9-5 in the middle frame and tied the game with Kristina Shanahan’s 13th goal of the season. The junior deflected Ellice Murphy’s shot past Aerin Frankel (18 saves) for the equalizer with 13:49 left in the second period. Theresa Schafzahl had the secondary assist.
Vermont had a 14-11 shot advantage through 40 minutes of play. The Catamounts almost took the lead at the end of the second period with a late power-play opportunity.
Northeastern struck twice in the first 1:37 of the third period. Brown rang a shot off the post and in on the power play 1:05 into the frame. Alina Mueller notched her 24th goal of the season shortly after.
Tessa Ward padded the Huskies’ lead before the midway point of the period. The junior drove to the net on the rush and jammed a rebound home after her initial shot was denied.
Kate Holmes added one more goal for the Huskies with 3:32 left in regulation. Skylar Fontaine’s shot from the point was deflected by Holmes for her fifth goal of the season.

UP NEXT
Vermont and Northeastern return to action on Friday (Feb. 28) for Game 2 of the Hockey East Quarterfinal series. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. at Matthews Arena. The game will once again be broadcasted on NESN and NESNgo. Fans who don’t have access to NESN can watch the Catamounts and Huskies on CBS All-Access with the purchase of a subscription.