The UConn women’s ice hockey team faces off against New Hampshire in a two-game series that consists of a home and away game, with the Huskies first traveling to the Wildcats to start the weekend.
Beating New Hampshire is crucial for the Huskies after falling 1-3 in the season’s first four games and climbing back to .500 needs to happen now rather than later. After starting 1-3-1 in the first five games last season, the team proved that a comeback was possible as they eventually finished 25-8-5.
As for the Wildcats, they come into the series at 1-0-1. Since 2001, the team has won 46 out of 76 games, losing 25 and tying in five. Although New Hampshire may be the favorite to win, recent history says otherwise.
The two in-conference rivals face each other three times a season. In the 2023-2024 season, the script flipped, and UConn won the series 2-1. The team beat the Wildcats on the road and held them to zero goals, pushing momentum to Connecticut’s side.
One thing that UConn currently struggles with is finishing. Although the team has scored eight goals and has taken 71 shots across the first four games, the group will continue to improve offensively and connect with the back of the net. The leading scorer for the team, Christina Walker, put up two goals and the forward looks to add a couple more by the end of the weekend.
As for UConn’s team leaders, Ava Rinker has also been a massive asset, racking up six assists, four shots and 13 blocks in the past three matches. A major component of a team is the defense and Rinker not only protects the net, but opens the ice up for opportunities.
The star for New Hampshire, Andi Calderone, scored two goals in their two-series clash with Assumption. Calderone will look to continue her hot streak in this series as the playmaker for the team.
Another massive contributor to the Wildcats, goalkeeper Carissa Mudrak, has only allowed one goal in the two games so far this season. A challenge for UConn arises if Mudrak plays the same way.
Coming into this weekend, Connecticut looks to start fresh with a sweep while New Hampshire tries to find a way to intervene.
Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Durham, N.H. on Friday, and 6 p.m. in Storrs on Saturday.