Weekend sweep lifts UMass
NEW ENGLAND HOCKEY
There should be a discernible giddy-up in the strides of the UMass skaters today, after the Minutemen turned a proverbial corner by sweeping a home-andhome weekend series against Quinnipiac, 2-1 and 6-3.
After struggling to a woeful 5-29-2 mark in coach Greg Carvel’s first season behind the Minutemen bench, the two recent wins have boosted UMass above .500 on the season (at 7-6-0), surpassing last year’s win total.
Four players registered three points in the series — freshmen Oliver Chau (two goals, assist), Jake Gaudet (three assists) and Mitchell Chaffee (goal, two assists), and senior Niko Rufo of Stoneham, who had a hat trick on the second night. Sophomore goaltender Ryan Wischow was sharp both evenings, with 32 and 47 saves.
“Yeah, I really liked the way we’ve been playing all year. We’ve lost some games simply because we’re so inexperienced. They don’t understand yet how you have to play to be successful,” Carvel said. “We won a game on Friday night that we probably didn’t deserve (to win), but Wischow gave us excellent goaltending both nights.”
While UMass may have gained in the won-loss margin, Carvel is quick to point out there will be many more bumps in the road to overcome. UMass next hosts UConn on Friday night.
“We’ve really been focused all year in the moment. It was nice and Quinnipiac is a real quality hockey program. To take two from them is a big confidence boost,” Carvel said.
Capital importance
The Northeastern and Boston University women’s teams took part in the first four-team D1 in DC event, which was held at the Kettler Capitals Complex, the practice facility of the Washington Capitals in Arlington, Va.
The opening day saw NU stun top-ranked Wisconsin, 3-2, behind 39 saves from freshman Aerin Frankel. NU defeated Minnesota State, 6-1, behind senior Denisa Krizova’s third career hat trick the next night. A highlight in Game 2 was freshman Veronika Pettey, the Potomoc, Md., product who potted her sixth goal of the season in front of her hometown fans.
BU beat Minnesota State, 5-2, on Friday night, thanks to the fifth career hat trick by senior star Veronica Bach. Wisconsin, which obviously was in a sour mood following its upset loss to NU, defeated the Terriers on Saturday, 4-2, with Bach connecting for both BU tallies.
“It was fantastic. It was great for women’s hockey,” said Terriers coach Brian Durocher. “You start by the type of turnout we had each night. I think there was close to 1,000 in the crowd for each game. I think each of the four teams had about a half-day to do a decent amount of sightseeing. We had dinner over in Georgetown and got to walk back through campus. It was terrific.”
Quiz of the week
Speaking of the Capitals, this exBeanpot skater and former Hockey East head coach was a member of the first Washington Caps team.
Who was he? Answer below.
Slap shots
Boston College freshman Daryl Watts (15 goals, 22 assists) and sophomore Caitrin Lonergan (15 goals, 18 assists) rank 1-2 in women’s Division 1 overall scoring. Roslindale’s Lonergan has matched her freshman totals in each category. Also, Eagles junior Makenna Newkirk is riding a 14game points streak . . . .
Junior Cam Owens of Wilmington is pacing SUNY Plattsburgh in scoring with 2-11-13 in eight games. Plattsburgh coach Bob Emery, a former Eagles defensemen out of Somerville and Matignon, recently posted career win No.600. Emery is 602-195-62 in 29 seasons . . . .
Johnson & Wales freshman Mike Rockwell and Southern Maine junior Britney Evangelista had big days in net in tough losses. Rockwell had 52 saves in a 3-1 loss to Assumption, while Evangelista made 53 stops in a 2-0 loss at Colby.
Quiz answer
Ron Anderson, who played at Boston University and coached at Merrimack. Drop the puck!