By Madeline Sattler, News Correspondent
The women’s hockey team finished the regular season with the most wins (22-6-4 overall) in the past decade, largely in part to having a top-tier defensive lineup.
The United States College Hockey Online (USCHO) No. 7 ranked women’s hockey team’s a strong defense and a top-ranked penalty kill unit teamed up with the offense to bring the 2012 Beanpot and the Women’s Hockey East Association (WHEA) Regular Season Championship titles to campus.
The Huskies ranked first WHEA for total scoring defense and third nationwide, averaging 1.53 goals scored per game. The defense has allowed the lowest number of goals in Hockey East with 49.
“Each year [the defense] has been getting so much better,” senior defender Stephanie Gavronsky said.
The defense has been successful in limiting opponents in the opening period. Opposing teams only recorded nine goals in the first period and only notched the game’s first goal seven times in the regular season. Northeastern is 13-1-1 when leading after the first period.
“Just knowing our positions has really helped [senior goaltender] Florence [Schelling] out in the net,” Gavronsky said. “We’ve been picking up sticks and just getting on the body.”
Gavronsky is a four-year veteran and this year served as tri-captain. She has six goals and eight assists on the season, which ties her with sophomore defender Maggie DiMasi for most points on the team by a defender.
Additionally, Northeastern performance on the penalty kill this season has only allowed 15 goals. But they have not given opponents many chances to play man-up, averaging 9.1 penalty minutes a game – second lowest in WHEA.
“If we do happen to get a penalty, we’re not just going to seize up,” Gavronsky said.
The Huskies are the nation’s No. 2 ranked penalty kill unit, second to the Clarkson University Golden Knights. Northeastern has shut down 118 power plays in 133 opportunities (88.7 percent) this season.
In the second period of Sunday’s game against the Providence College Friars, the Huskies found themselves at a two-man down disadvantage. Gavronsky was sitting in the penalty box for tripping. Freshman defender Ann Doherty followed soon after, forcing the Huskies to play with two-men down for 38 seconds. Despite these roadblocks, Northeastern held its ground and shut down the Friars.
Earlier in the season, the Huskies took on the University of Maine Black Bears in a two-game weekend series Feb. 11 and 12. The penalty kill unit combined to go 10-for-10. The Black Bears did not get the puck in the net despite 20 minutes of man-up opportunities.
“There are times when I feel better when we’re on the penalty kill than on the power play,” head coach David Flint said.
Northeastern’s strength extended to the opposite end of the spectrum as they put up points in shorthanded situations.
“We’re a huge threat too,” Gavronsky said. “We’ve had a couple short-handed goals with Coyne and Pickett up front.”
Junior forward Casey Pickett is responsible for half of the Huskies’ eight shorthanded goals. She is tied for first in the nation. This season’s total marks the most for the program since the Huskies joined the WHEA and ranks them No. 1 in Hockey East and third nationally.
Schelling played a key role in this season penalty kill unit, Flint said. “Your best penalty kill is your goalie.”
Schelling has only allowed 14 goals on opposing power plays. Schelling has had a career season defensively. The Swiss native shut out opponents eight times to lead the nation. She holds a 1.43 goals against average and a .950 save percentage.
“I just know this is the time where I’m probably going to a lot shots,” Schelling said. “I just stay focused and get ready.”
The defense will be crucial going into the postseason. The Huskies have a bye week and then will head to Cape Cod next weekend for the Hockey East semifinal game. They will take on the lowest seed of either the Providence College Friars, the Black Bears or the University of New Hampshire Wildcats March 3 at 12:30 p.m.
“We have to keep working hard,” Schelling said. “We still have a long way to go.”
