For the last time in the 2023-24 regular season; your Northeastern University Huskies welcomed in the University of Vermont Catamounts to Historic Matthews Arena. This matchup has vexed the Huskies this year as UVM has beaten NU twice, most recently blanking our heroes last night behind a 2-0 final. Tonight was closer, but with the same end result as the Huskies fell in the shootout, losing all 3 matchups this year to the Catamounts.
The night started out with a pre-game ceremony honoring the “super seniors” that will be leaving the comfy confines of Matthews at the end of this season. Becca Van Stone, Peyton Cullaton, Peyton Anderson, Katy Knoll, Gwyneth Philips and Megan Carter were all honored prior to puck drop for their commitment and dedication to the program.
3x Final Four appearances, 3x Beanpot Champs and 5x Hockey East Champions: I don’t know about you, but I’d call that a pretty good run.
And we all know who really deserves the thanks right? The Hockey Moms and The Hockey Dads. Quick shout out to all the parents making the sacrifices for their daughters.
Alright, enough with all the sappy stuff. Wipe that tear away Danny Boy, we got a game to play.
UVM came into this one with a 4-2-1 record over their last 7GP and the Huskies were a win better at 5-1-1 over that same time span. But, with all the teams in Hockey East making the playoffs, and UVM still jockeying for position, you can toss that all out the window for this one. In net for UVM was Jessie McPherson: she got the dub last night and is the first goalie in UVM program history to notch 50wins. I mean that’s impressive until you look 188ft the other way and see Gwyneth Philips smiling back at you. The Great Wall of Philips is leading THE NATION in save percentage: someone please ask Nicole if that’s good.
Just like last night’s game, the flow was choppy to open up as neither team looked fluid with their breakouts and setups. The best chance of the early going was when Lily Shannon walked in alone but was denied by McPherson. As the play went down the other end, Lily Yovetich was called for a phantom trip and that ladies and gentleman, was how the rest of the game went. NU couldn’t cash in on their chances, and just when the Huskies gained momentum, Stripes got involved and made some horrendous calls and what was worse: some indefensible non-calls.
Play continued fairly even into the 2nd, but then NU got their high/low game going and generated the best zone time and scoring chances they had all night. The period continued with neither team getting long setups and was a back and forth slog through the neutral. NU had plenty of entries with a shot and no set-up while UVM would gain entry but then turn the puck over. As Todd pointed out, this wasn’t the most beautiful display of hockey we’ve seen.
In the 3rd, if you can believe it, the officiating got worse. The Matrix Peyton Anderson got lumberjack chopped on the hands in the UVM zone with one of the refs LOOKING DIRECTLY AT THE PLAY and was deemed a non-call. But Katy Knoll gave a UVM player a dirty look and gets whistled for an infraction? Maybe mix in an embellishment call every once and awhile. I’m just hoping that the officials for the playoffs are based on merit, which means we shouldn’t see this crew until next season.
Just past the midway point of the final frame, Megan Carter got her cookie. The Premier Power Forward in Women’s Hockey Today carried the puck into the UVM zone and laid it across to Peyton Cullaton driving the slot. The puck caromed off Cullaton’s blade and a defender and Carter walked into it on the inside of the LW circle. Far side over the glove. Waffles. 1-0 good guys.
It looked like that would be that, but oh no, Stripes got involved again. You’ve all heard of make-up calls right? But have you heard of make-up calls to the wrong team? Nope. That’s the difference you get from this officiating crew. Lily Humphrey tucked home a cross crease feed from Evelyne Blais-Savoie and the sides were tied again. Primary apple to Stripes.
In the OT, Carter was denied on the opening face-off after Knoll and The Mayor of Kingston, Skylar Irving worked the puck perfectly to give her the bid. The sides traded chances, with NU getting the better looks, but the game was headed to a shootout.
Northeastern chose to go first
NU Peyton Anderson ❌
UVM Lily Humphrey ❌
NU Taze Thompson ❌
UVM Natalie Mlynkova ❌
NU Peyton Cullaton ❌
UVM Kaylee Lewis ❌
NU Allie Lalonde ❌
UVM Lara Beecher ❌
NU Katy Knoll ❌
UVM Evelyne Blais-Savoie ❌
NU Megan Carter❌
UVM Krista Parkkonen ✔️
Up next for the Huskies is hosting a Hockey East Playoff game next Saturday at Historic Matthews. Opponent TBD
Some thought from around the rink:
- Tory Mariano made a great play in the OT to break up a 2:!
- So you can shoot after the final horn and it’s not an unsportsmanlike? Stay hot Stripes
- My pal the Honey Badger dangled the entire UVM side multiple times. Unfortunately Ella Blackmore didn’t cash in, could it be her tape job that gives her those filthy mitts? Only the toe is a wild choice, but you do you Blackmore.
- Megan Carter was all of us when she tossed the puck over the head of the linesman to give it back. I’m sorry, when she accidentally tossed the puck over their head.
- Jules Constantinople will not be bullied. After getting tackled again DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE REFS with no call, she got her licks in on the ensuing tie up by Philips.
- Is The Nailgun Line weaker without all 3 cogs? Was the OG Lily Brazis pining after her lineys after missing The Honey Badger last night and Mia (Still No Nickname) Langlois tonight? A triangle needs all three sides.
- Stick taps to Katy Knoll trying to set the tone for this one. During warmups, as is her routine, Knoll was one of the last remaining players on the sheet. She fired a puck directly into the skates of Natalie Mlynkova who was still on for UVM. Love that intensity.
- Lastly, shoutout to the youth goalies that went for a victory lap during the 2nd intermission and got scolded by the PA announcer. Shoot your shot kids.
The Morning Skate 