Your Northeastern Huskies spent another night on Long Island and left with another blanking of LIU, this time 2-0 at the Al Abour Rink. I will say this, hats off to the LIU coaching staff cause they made some adjustments after getting lit up in their home opener last night. The Sharks were squaring up to the NU shooters, clogging the shooting lanes and doing their level best to keep play on the perimeter and stay out of the box. The only thing they didn’t address was waking up their offense and how to sneak one past the best goalie on the planet right now.
The opening period was fairly even in terms of play and def helped along by the Huskies taking 2 penalties. The Huskies still don’t look like they’re firing on all cylinders as some outlets were missed and some switches seem to be slightly slower than what we’re used to watching. (I will say that the NU cycle game absolutely improved as the game wore on). Nonetheless the teams ended the first frame knotted at gooses and that had to be considered a W for the Sharks.
Early in the second, Gwyneth Philips put on a clinic in one sequence. LIU had an extremely tough time getting set up in the NU zone and didn’t really get into their offensive set until late in the period while on a power play. That doesn’t mean they didn’t get a few Grade A chances, it just means the Huskies have a Grade A++ goalie.
For those scoring at home: That’s 4 starts – 3 wins – 3 shutouts – a 0.50 GAA – and a 0.980% save percentage. I’m not sure, but are those numbers good Nicole? You tell me.
The fact that these 2 teams ended 40mins of game play at zeroes is a nod to the goaltenders. I mean we all know that Philips is definitively HER, but Tindra Holm deserves some love here. She played great in these last 2 games and to come back in today after getting lit up late in last night’s game speaks to her character. Stick taps to her for sure.
In the final frame the Huskies got themselves in some penalty trouble (a theme throughout this one as NU handed LIU 7 power plays), when they found themselves on the wrong end of a 5 on 3 penalty kill. With a little more than 5 minutes left in the game, The Premier Power Forward in Women’s Hockey Today* called game. Katy Knoll broke down the left wing and gathered in the outlet from Meg Carter in stride with a full head of steam. Knoll cut inside on the defense and skated to her right across the slot and shot left, beating Holm far side over the glove. I mean that’s a power move by THE power forward. Katy Knoll Doing Katy Knoll Things, am I right?
About a minute later Lily Yovetich got her first career goal to put this one on ice. Yovetich was all over the ice again tonight and finally got rewarded for her efforts when her rising point shot found the back of the net. Quite the scramble in front with both Taze Thompson (I was so close on calling this Taze!) and Skylar Irving crashing the blue paint.
Editors Note: Postgame this goal has been changed to a Taze Thompson goal. Which means, and we hate to say this, but Brownie’s prediction from last night’s blog was correct and Thompson got her first of the season. While we feel bad for Yovetich, we all should feel bad for ourselves because Brownie is going to be insufferable about calling his (and Taze’s) shot in his write-up last night.
The Sharks elected to not pull their goalie?? and skated the remaining minutes content to not let the Huskies add to their lead. I thought that was a curious decision but again, I’m on the couch and not behind the bench.
Some observations from that same couch:
- Becca Vanstone played solid again tonight in limited minutes. A few times she looked like she’s developing some chemistry with Mia Langlois, and those 2 along with The Nailgun Lily Brazis, could provide some great depth for the Huskies.
- Lily Shannon was out there imposing her will on LIU tonight. Love to see that from her.
- Another strong game from The Mayor of Kingston as Irving was out there in all crucial moments and stood out numerous times in the offensive zone.
- Abbey Marohn was taking numbers after some late questionable rubouts on the boards. I’ll say this for some of those LIU forwards – don’t make her angry, you wouldn’t like Abbey when she’s angry.
- I’m liking these line combos from Coach Carp. A very balanced lineup with great mixes of vets and youngsters. Lots of speed with this freshman class and they are showing it off.
Lastly, what the ever loving hockey puck is ESPN+ doing with this camera coverage??? I know the puck moves fast, but unless the camera operator is a cyclops how are you this far behind the play? At one point, DURING GAME PLAY, the camera followed Irving to the bench because the announcer was talking about her. Now listen, I too am a big fan or Skirv but not when the puck is in the O-Zone away from her!! Figure it out. I guess that shows how spoiled we all are by watching Hockey East all the time.
Lastly, The Morning Skate is celebrating our 300th podcast this coming Tuesday night at 8:45PM with a LIVE BROADCAST! That’s right, it will be a gong show for sure but we hope you all tune in. Ked’s talking about poppin’ bottles and I have to eat Taco Bell for the first time in my life live on the air (Hey Abbey what do you recommend off that menu for me?). We’ll have some surprise guests and will be putting out the idiotic content that you all have come to know and love. You can find the podcast here and while you’re looking check out our Howlin’ Huskies channel.
Up next for the Huskies is their first Hockey East test as they take on the BU Terriers next weekend.
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You can read more about Brownie down below or follow him @Abrow28
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