University of Maine
New Hampshire
Maine women defeat UNH 3-2
1/29/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
DURHAM, N.H. -- The University of Maine women's ice hockey team has defeated the University of New Hampshire in Durham for only the second time, and overall, for only the third time in program history. Season momentum was going against the Black Bears as well; New Hampshire came into the game with two straight wins over nationally-ranked opponents while Maine was dealing with a five game skid. Danielle Ward (Lansing, Mich.) paced the Black Bears with 2 goals and 1 assist as the Maine women stormed back from 2-0 down in the second period to take the first game in the rivalry series 3-2.
The first period started as expected, given how the series has run over its history. At 15:54, New Hampshire jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a power play goal from Courtney Birchard. Set in formation, Birchard planted herself at the high slot where she received a diagonal pass from Courtney Sheary at the right point. Birchard then slid a low liner through traffic in front of the net, and the puck managed to slip past Maine goaltender, Brittany Ott (St. Clair Shores, Mich.). Arielle O'Neill also assisted on the play.
New Hampshire then notched themselves a 2-0 lead at 8:41 in the second period when they capitalized on yet another power play goal. This time, Raylen Dziengelewski started the action with a pass from her left point position to Maggie Hunt, who had her slap shot deflect off of teammate, Hannah Armstrong's stick and into the back of the net.
Although down 2-0 in the second frame, Maine would then have a couple power plays of their own. Within 21 seconds of eachother, Danielle Ward countered with 2 power play goals of her own. The first came off of a rebound from Chloe Tinkler (Wabush, Newfoundland) who was credited with the assist on the play. Ward then added another from in close as she redirected a shot from Dawn Sullivan (Enfield, Nova Scotia) while positioned off of the left post.
The game winning goal for Maine came with just 2:36 remaining in the third period. Missy Denk (Popular Grove, Ill.) fired the initial shot from the top of the left circle, and was denied by UNH goalie, Lindsey Minton. However, the New Hampshire goaltender could not maintain control of the puck and Myriam Crousette (Baie-Comeau, Quebec) jumped all over the rebound and stuffed home the triumphant final goal of the rivalry game. Ward was also credited with an assist on the play.
Key to the final outcome was the abilitiy of both teams to capitalize on power play chances. Maine went 2-6 on their power play opportunities while New Hampshire finished 2-4.
UNH goalie, Lindsey Minton, who did not play in the last matchup between the two schools, ended the game with 18 saves while Maine goaltender, Brittany Ott finished with 21 of her own, earning her second win over New Hampshire this season (which makes her the winningest goaltender for Maine versus New Hampshire in program history).
The second and final game of the series between the two border schools will face off at 2 p.m. on Sunday jan. 30, at the Whittemore Center in Durham, N.H. The game is part of Hockey East's 5th Annual Skating Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraising initiative.
-U-M-
