The UConn Women’s Hockey team, currently ranked No. 9 in the nation, had two games over the weekend against No.12 Penn State at home at the Toscano Ice Forum. Previously, Penn State had never beaten UConn in women’s hockey, so this weekend they were looking to change the tides. The Huskies entered the weekend 0-2 after falling to one of the best teams in the nation in Minnesota. Both teams had a lot to play for this weekend and it was interesting to see it play out.
In game one it was a tale of two halves for the Huskies, who were very slow off the gate and fell behind. The Huskies weren’t playing their best hockey during the first two periods, and it showed, as Penn State had an edge on the Huskies. In the first period, UConn was granted two power plays due to Penn State penalties; however, they could not convert these opportunities. At the end of period one, the score was deadlocked at 0-0. To start the second period, we saw more of the same from these teams as this defensive battle continued, and it was not until late in the second that Penn State would get a goal, making it 1-0. Penn State had many advantages in the second and third periods due to penalties from the Huskies, yet they did not make the most of these; they have yet to score on the powerplay this season. The Nittany Lions scored a minute into the third and they had the Huskies where they wanted them. UConn fought back, though, as Brianna Ware cut the lead to one and Claire Murdoch tied it up on a breakaway goal. With under five minutes to play, this was an even game, with UConn having the momentum. They rode that as they scored with minutes left to take the lead and seal a big comeback victory 3-2 in the first game of two at home.
In game number two of the weekend series, it was more of the same in the first period as both teams went scoreless and the goalies were great again. However, just 53 seconds into the second period, Christina Walker nailed one home for the Huskies to make this game 1-0. The lead would not last long as Penn State scored a shorthanded goal two minutes later to tie up the game 1-1. The Nittany Lions would have a powerplay of their own late into the second period and their unit finally had the advantage as Maddy Christian scored to make it 2-1. Penn State would then immediately go back on the power play and score again as UConn’s penalties seemed to hurt them in this one. The Huskies went into the third period down two and needed a great effort, like in game one, to win. The Huskies immediately went to work in the third as they opened with a power-play goal from Meghan Duchesne-Chalifoux. UConn had drawn within one, yet the Penn State defense remained stout as they kept the Huskies to limited shot attempts. The lead would hold for the Nittany Lions as they would score a fourth goal on an empty net to secure a big win for them 4-2.
The series ended in a draw and there should be limited movement in the rankings as both teams were close in proximity. Neither win for both teams were commanding, so it would be a shock to see either team move up or down more than a few slots in the poll. The Huskies will now face the University of New Hampshire Wildcats next Friday as they look to improve on their 1-3 regular season start.