The UConn women’s hockey team will face off against Hockey East opponents, the University of New Hampshire and Boston University this weekend.
The Huskies will kick off the weekend with a road matchup against UNH on Friday. The Wildcats have been strong this season, owning a 15-12-3 overall record and a 9-9-2 conference record. Although the Wildcats rank No. 5 in the Hockey East conference compared to UConn’s No. 2 rank, UNH’s competitive edge has led them to victory in previous matchups against the Huskies.
Just two weeks ago, the Huskies split a weekend series with New Hampshire, winning 1-0 then falling the next day 2-3 in an overtime loss.
Leading UNH’s offensive power is Nina Rossi with 11 goals and 18 assists on the season. Right behind her is Danika Botterill with 11 goals and 14 assists. Botterill was instrumental in UNH’s previous 2-3 victory over the Huskies as she notched a goal and an assist. Rossi also contributed with an assist.
Since the Huskies and Wildcats last met two weeks ago, the Wildcats have been on a two-game winning streak, beating Hockey East opponent Merrimack 4-2 and No. 13 Holy Cross 3-2.
Then, on Saturday, the Huskies travel to Boston to take on Boston University. The Terriers, 9-17-3 overall and 7-11-2 in the conference, sit at the bottom of Hockey East at No. 8.
Earlier this season, the two teams met for a weekend series, tying 1-1 in overtime, and the Huskies emerging victorious at 3-2 the following day. BU’s main contributor, senior forward Sydney Healey, leads BU with 15 goals and nine assists. However, in BU’s recent matchups against Vermont and Maine, she struggled to get a piece of the puck.
As for the Huskies, they are coming off a winning weekend, beating Providence 2-1 in overtime, then crushing Boston College 6-2 the following day. UConn goaltender Tia Chan was instrumental in last weekend’s wins and has been a sensational team leader, not to mention her phenomenal .950 save percentage. Both UNH and BU will be challenged to take shots on goal and find the back of the net beyond Chan and her defensive unit.
UNH goaltenders Noemi Martinez and Sedona Blair have also had exceptional seasons, with Martinez owning a .936 save percentage and Blair earning a .934. UConn will also be challenged to find the net, as the matchup could be a game of goaltending.
Friday puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Durham, N.H., and Saturday puck drop is set for 4 p.m. in Boston.