ORONO, Maine - The Maine women's hockey team downed Merrimack College on Wednesday at Alfond Arena in the Opening Round of the Hockey East playoffs to advance to the Quarterfinals. #7 Maine will face #2 UConn on Saturday, Feb 28 at Toscano Family Ice Forum in Storrs, CT. Puck drop is set for 3:05pm.
Game 36: Hockey East Quarterfinals
#7 Maine at #2 UConn
Saturday, Feb 28 | 3:00 PM | Toscano Family Ice Forum | Storrs, CT | ESPN+
Black Bears' Last Time Out:
- Raegan Wurm netted two goals in the 4-0 win, while Kiia Lahtinen recorded a 20-save shutout in the win.
- Maine dominated the game from the puck drop, outshooting Merrimack 26 to 20.
- Rookie Isabelle Michaud scored her tenth of the year, which ended up as the game-winning goal around eight minutes into the game. Ava Stevenson and Gracie Hanson earned assists.
- A minute and a half later, Raegan Wurm scored to widen Maine's lead off a pass from Lila Shea.
- The second period came with two more Black Bear goals, as Lily Fetch tipped in her sixth of the year off a shot from Mikayla Boarder. Raegan Wurm notched her second of the night, and Maine's fourth late in the second period with Paige Fong registering an assist.
More on Maine:
- Rookie Isabelle Michaud leads the team with 18 points (10-8-17) followed by Stephanie Jacob (10-5-15) who leads the team in game-winning goals (3) this season. Rookie Mackenzie Podewell is tied for 15 points with six goals and nine assists
- Rookie defender Paige Fong leads the team in assists with 12.
- Kiia Lahtinen has played in 32 games this season and holds a .925 save percentage. Wednesday night's shutout was Lahtinen's fourth of the year, third of the month, and sixth of her career. The last time a goalie recorded back-to-back shutouts was over 10 years ago when Meghann Treacy beat Merrimack 4-0 and 1-0 back in February 6/7 of 2016.
- Wednesday's win is the first playoff win under head coach Molly Engstrom.
Previous Games with UConn:
Scouting the Huskies:
- UConn most recently beat Merrimack College, 5-3, and lost to Northeastern, 3-2, in overtime last weekend.
- Julia Pellerin, Ashley Allard, Brooke Campbell and Claire Murdoch (4) were the goal scorers on the weekend while Tia Chan played in goal both games and made 49 saves.
- Goaltender Tia Chan has played in 32 games for UConn this season with a .947 save percentage.
- Kyla Josifovic leads the team in points with 34 and assists with 23.
- Megan Woodworth leads the team with 14 goals.
Playoff Tidbits:
- The only time Maine and UConn have faced off in playoffs was in 2015, when #4 UConn defeated #5 Maine 3-2 in game one and 1-0 OT in game two.
- Last year, #6 Maine fell to #3 Boston College, 4-3, in the Quarterfinal tilt.
- Hockey East playoffs are single-game elimination, with the winner moving onto the Semifinals on Tuesday, March 3.
-UMaine-
