Your Northeastern Huskies welcomed in the University of New Hampshire Wildcats for the 2nd half of a home and home series. Taking the ice at Historic Matthews Arena in their “Beanpot Reds” the Huskies were looking for a clean sweep of UNH this season and their 2nd win in the last 3 days. It took some extra hockey, but the Huskies got it done with a 4-3 OTW and their 7th win in a row.
The Huskies got on the board first when Peyton Compton grabbed the loose change at the UNH net front from Lily Shannon. The play started when Shannon got a head of steam into the UNH zone and went 1:3 down the slot on the net drive before putting the puck on net from the inside of the right circle. Her bid was ultimately turned away but Compton was there for the rebound. Compton gathered the puck in, dusted it off and put it past Sedona Blair on the backhand. As you all know by now: Good things happen when you go to the net and a top notch celly from the freshman.
In net both teams rolled it back from Thursday with the aforementioned Blair taking on Gwyneth Philips. The Great Wall of Gwyneth was named the Hockey East Goaltender of the Month (not a big deal) and hopefully our good friend Nicole was paying attention. UNH had the early chances and zone time, but I mean, c’mon…. the Huskies have Philips. I will mention that this penalty kill should never have happened as Holly Abela took a wicked shot up high that somehow wasn’t a penalty and even more shocking: after a review the play wasn’t deemed a major. No call and Abela out for the remainder of the game? Stay hot Stripes.
That score held until the first intermission and the teams came out for the middle frame with a marked difference in jump from both sides. Both teams were up and down the ice and the best chances from each side were on the penalty kill as neither team could figure out the man-advantage. The teams combined for 15SOG in the 2nd period but neither team had long set-ups in the other’s zone. It was quick bids and back out the other way. The Huskies carried their 1-0 lead into the final frame.
In the opening minutes of the third, Nicole Kelly tied it up for UNH when she got behind the D and beat Philips over the blocker. Brooke Hammer (great hockey name) set her up in stride coming down the NU slot and a great effort from Kelly got the puck past Philips and the sides were tied.
Just 2 minutes later Jada Christian took advantage of a turnover in the neutral zone and drove the slot with her head up the whole way. Christian skated right/shot left and beat Philips blocker side to take the lead for the first time today. Run-roh.
At the midway point of the period, Chavonne Truter threw an elbow to Lily Brazis‘ head (I mean The OG Nailgun just kept playing) and luckily the eagle eyes on the Huskies bench challenged for a penalty. I mean big surprise that Stripes missed this one too right? Hmmm, that name seems familiar. Oh you mean she’s also the player that threw a high hit on Abela? You don’t say. Dirty’s gonna dirty I guess.
This was the chance for NU to climb back into this one. A 5-minute major. Fill that UNH net with pucks. Let’s go ladies, let’s get back into this one. Good plan Brownie, as Kelly put a shorty blast over Philips’ blocker and the Huskies went from a 1 goal lead to be down 3-1 and the major expiring without the Huskies cashing in. With 5 minutes remaining and the sides skating 5 aside again, it didn’t look good for our heroes.
This is when the resolve of a squad is tested. Will the Huskies lay down and let the Wildcats run all over them? Will they resort to cheap plays and dirty hits like their opponents? Were they going to drop this one at Matthews? Could the win streak be over?
A NU timeout with 2:31 left to play (maybe Coach Carp did the Bluto speech from the clip above?), got everyone on the same page as the Huskies looked to pull off the improbable comeback. After a UNH timeout 9 seconds later (petty wars), the Huskies got Philips pulled and Taze Thompson entered the chat. Jules Constantinople (Hockey East Defender of the Month – not a big deal) carried the puck down the LW and spun a backhand towards the slot. Lily Shannon got a blade on it and directed it right to Thompson in the slot. A drop knee one-timer from Thompson upstairs over the blocker of Sedona and I can finally say it: It’s a Lazer from Tazer
Just 40 seconds later, with Philips pulled again, Shannon got her (much deserved) cookie. Meg Carter put the puck on net from the left point and the rebound landed at Thompson’s feet at the left post. Thompson fed to Shannon cross-crease and Lily’s not missing from there. Tie game with 32 seconds to go.
Regulation time expired with the score still tied and the sides were headed to extra hockey. I feel like at this point, the PA crew at Matthews has to play a WWE-style intro like they do for The Rock. But instead of his iconic “IF YOU SMELL WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKING” it should be “KATY KNOLL DOING KATY KNOLL THINGS”. I mean, can you imagine the pop from The Doghouse if that played? People would lose their minds.
The Premier Power Forward in Women’s Hockey Today will not be denied as of late with her 4th goal in as many games. As they say: don’t let her get hot. With the Beanpot Four out there to start yet another OT, this time they cashed in. Carter dragged the puck back to the NU slot to build up some momentum and then it was all up to her edge work busting into the UNH zone. The puck skipped back into the neutral and Knoll took over. With the puck on her blade on the LW she dragged the puck backwards and up in the zone drawing 2 UNH defenders. Knoll then shielded the puck with her body and dog-walked both UNH players up high and drove the net at the inside of the left wing circle. As the last UNH defender tripped over Blair, Knoll buried a wrister upstairs over the glove. OTGWG and the 2nd ‘Dawg Pile in as many games.
The Huskies host UConn Friday night before welcoming in Maine on Saturday. If you’re around the rink on Saturday keep an eye out for my co-host Ked and I; as he’s making his first trip to Historic Matthews Arena and we’ll be doing a live podcast pre-game and all kinds of live broadcasts after the game. Hope to see you.
You can read more about Brownie in his bio down below or follow him on:
Twitter: @abrow28
IG/Threads: @a_brow28
The Morning Skate 
Good stuff … thanks 😊
Bruce S. Weigert 3628 Kapalua Way Raleigh, NC 27610
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