UConn women’s hockey team capped off a successful Hockey East weekend with two wins in two days, first beating Providence on the road Friday before carrying the momentum back home against Boston College on Saturday.
On Friday, the Friars controlled the opening faceoff, but the Huskies were the first to strike. Junior forward Livvy Dewar opened scoring with six minutes remaining in the opening period, recording her seventh goal of the season to give UConn an early lead. Providence continued to generate pressure in the first period, but graduate student goaltender Tia Chan stayed strong, stopping nine shots in the opening frame. The Friars outshot the Huskies 9-6 in this period, but due to the Huskies dominant defense, they held onto the lead going into the first intermission.
In the second period, both teams dominated defensively with UConn controlling puck possession for most of the period. The Huskies gained multiple power-play opportunities during this period due to the Friars picking up three penalties during this period. Despite, Providence having less skaters on the ice they kept continued pressure to keep UConn off the scoreboard. The Huskies outshot the Friars 7-6 in this period to preserve their 1-0 lead going into the third period.
Providence got up on the scoreboard late into the third period with a power play goal to tie the game. The goal forced the game into overtime with the momentum in the hands of the Friars. However, UConn kept their composure going into the overtime. With under two minutes remaining in the five-minute overtime period, senior forward Megan Woodworth scored the game-winning goal for the Huskies.
The Hockey East weekend continued Saturday with a 6-2 victory over Boston College at the Toscano Family Ice Forum. Chan once again led the defense, stopping 45 shots to give the Huskies its 14th Hockey East win of the season.
In the opening period both teams held strong defensively despite a heavy shot volume. The Huskies fired a season-high 25 shots in the first period to take control offensively early on. Boston College’s senior goaltender Grace Campbell held strong to keep the Huskies off the scoreboard, despite their many attempts. The Huskies earned the period’s only power-play opportunity but were unable to convert this opportunity, ending the first period scoreless.
The Huskies came out strong in the second period with junior forward Ashley Allard scoring her seventh goal of the season just 34 seconds into the period. Boston College quickly responded with a goal of their own midway through the period to tie the game. However, UConn quickly regained the lead with a power-play goal by freshman True Thompson.
The Huskies were able to maintain their lead powered by Woodworth, who recorded two goals. Her first goal came just 16 seconds after Thompson’s goal, while her second was recorded with just over a minute remaining in the period. Woodworth’s explosive offensive energy gave the Huskies a 4-1 lead heading into the third period and recorded Woodworth’s 13th goal of the season.
The Huskies continued to dominate going into the third period, extending their lead 5-1 six minutes in with a goal from sophomore forward Sadie Hotles. Junior forward Julia Pellerin continued the Huskies dominance with her 10th goal of the season, bringing the Huskies to a 6-1 lead.
Boston College found their rhythm too late into the game, scoring with just under a minute remaining, bringing the Huskies to a 6-2 victory. UConn finished with a season-high 58 shots on goal, outshooting Boston College 58-47. Chan drove the win defensively recording her fifth 40-plus save performance of the season and finishing just three saves shy of her season high.
The Huskies will look to continue the momentum next weekend for two more Hockey East matchups. The Huskies will first travel to Durham, N.H. to take on the University of New Hampshire on Friday, Feb. 13 with puck drop at 2 p.m. On Saturday, Feb. 14 the Huskies will travel to Boston to take on Boston University with puck drop at 4 p.m. Husky fans can tune into both matchup on FloSports.