Your Northeastern Huskies took to the ice on Sunday afternoon for the 2nd of a back to back with the Cornell Big Red. Much like the day before, the Huskies took care of business to extend their unbeaten streak to 15 and their winning streak to 8 as they handle Cornell 3-1 at the historic Matthews Arena.
Gwyneth Phillips was in net for the Huskies, while Lindsay Browning got the nod for Big Red. Less than a minute into the game, the Huskies were on the PK as Chloe Aurard got whistled off for a crosscheck and that would set the tone for the matinee. During the ensuing Big Red power play, Gabbie Rud got called for elbowing and sent the teams to 4 on 4 play. NU controlled the pace and with time running down on an abbreviated power play, Maddie Mills put one home against her former squad. Mills walked the right wing dot and beat Browning high to the far post to put the Huskies ahead.
Phillips came up big moments later when a rare NU turnover in their own end gave Cornell the puck in the slot. With traffic in front Phillips was able to hunt the puck and make the save. Phillips was impressive with her lateral movement and being able to anticipate the pass/shoot option. She was squared up all game and sharp on her angles.
Katy Knoll got was the eventual game winner late in the first when she came out of the box and headed straight down Comm Ave to put the peanut butter away. Aurard dragged the puck down the left wing and drew both defenders as Knoll put her head down and drove the net. Aurard laid the puck across to Knoll who went forehand backhand shelf to put the Huskies up for good. The pace ramped up after Knoll’s goal as did the physicality, as both teams went 1 for 5 on the PP during the game.
Originally tweeted by Northeastern Women’s Hockey (@GoNUwhockey) on December 5, 2021.
The middle period was dominated by sloppy play and unforced turnovers. Each team took unnecessary penalties and we even got to see the rare 4 on 3 power play. No one had that on their bingo card for this game. Unfortunately Aurard may have cost herself the Lady Byng on Sunday afternoon when she was whistled for 4 penalties during the game, you could see her frustration in her play. Two slashes, a rough and a crosscheck, yup that’ll check off the entire gift list. It is the season of giving after all.
With time running down in the middle stanza, Mills got her second of the game. Skylar Irving with a great forecheck play as she poked the puck off a Cornell defender deep in their own zone with Murphy in support. Maureen “Dangles” Murphy corralled the puck and drove the right wing corner and before feeding Mills in the slot. Mills gathered in the puck and then went forehand backhand to cash in her for her second of the afternoon. You can hear from the goal scorer herselft in the clip below. Stick tap to Millsy for keeping it classy with no mention of this being THE REVENGE GAME.
Originally tweeted by Northeastern Women’s Hockey (@GoNUwhockey) on December 5, 2021.
In the 3rd Gillis Frechette spoiled the shutout hopes for Phillips when she cashed in on a Cornell power play. With 3 attackers on the top of the blue paint Phillips had no chance on this one but kept the 5-hole closed on the initial play only to see the puck evade her wide to get Cornell on the board. Crash the net and good things happen.
With roughly 7 minutes left in the game, Cornell got what looked to be their 2nd goal and all of sudden they were back in it. Until they weren’t. Upon further review, Phillips was interfered with in the blue paint and the goal was waived off. To add insult to injury the refs called a bench minor on the Cornell coaches and NU was back on the PP. It’s the holidays man, use your nice words. The Huskies couldn’t get another during the PP and the teams headed to the final horn with NU up by a pair. Cornell pulled the goalie with 2 minutes left hoping for a miracle, but not today.
Skylar Fontaine and Alina Müeller both had 2 apples in Sunday’s game, which now gives Fontaine the lead among NCAA women defensemen with 19A on the season.  Both teams will now head to their winter break until the New Year when the Huskies host Merrimack on Friday 1/7 at 2pm in the first half of a home and home. #HowlinHuskies #HockeyEast
The Morning Skate 