By Sara Shaker, news staff
Senior captain goaltender Chloe Desjardins had a 28-save shutout this week, leading the Northeastern women’s hockey team to a 2-0 victory over the University of New Hampshire (UNH) at Whittemore Center in Durham, N.H. However, the Huskies were not able to keep the streak, coming away with a 1-0 loss against University of Maine at Matthews Arena on Saturday.
In Thursday’s game against UNH, the team earned its first Hockey East win. Desjardins stayed strong in the net in the first period, making 10 saves, including a UNH breakaway.
“We didn’t play particularly well in that game, but we found a way to win,” Head Coach Dave Flint said. “It was a gutsy effort. The team was tired, playing on the big sheet. They competed hard, and we were fortunate enough to come away with a win.”
After a scoreless first period, sophomore forward Hayley Scamurra started things off for the Huskies a minute and a half into the second. Junior forward Paige Savage threw Scamurra a cross-ice pass, who took a shot from the post to give Northeastern a 1-0 lead.
Going into the third period, the Huskies came out flying once again. At the 1:06 mark, junior captain forward Kendall Coyne gained possession of the puck and deked UNH junior goaltender Vilma Vaattovaara to push the lead further.
Desjardins kept UNH out of the net, saving 13 shots in the third period and helping Northeastern earn a 2-0 win.
“We played together, we worked hard,” Desjardins said. “It was not the best game as a team. We were kind of lucky to come out with a [win], but, I mean, we’re going to take the [win].”
Desjardins was named Women’s Hockey East Association Defensive Player of the Week after saving 86 shots out of 90 for a .955 save percentage in the three games last week.
In the team’s regular season home opener against the University of Maine on Saturday, the game started evenly, going back and forth between zones. Northeastern had some great opportunities, and Maine replied with scoring chances of its own.
“We just didn’t execute,” Flint said. “Missed passes, missed opportunities, not a lot of jump in our step.”
Despite great saves from Desjardins, Maine finally broke through after a scoreless 11 minutes. Maine sophomore forward Morgan Sakundiak gave a pass to sophomore defenseman Kristin Gilmour, who took a shot from the left point through traffic.
With Maine leading, Northeastern was looking for a goal, taking numerous shots in the offensive zone. However, Maine still had a 1-0 lead at the end of the first period. Down by a goal in the second, Northeastern freshman forward McKenna Brand came out hungry right from the faceoff. Racing into Maine’s zone, Brand took a shot within the first 11 seconds but was unable to put it in.
The second period continued with several chances from both teams. Maine nearly had another goal, but freshman forward Denisa Krizova took out the Black Bear, receiving a penalty for hooking and stopping Maine from getting another goal.
Going into the third period, both teams fought hard to score, creating several chances. Northeastern pulled Desjardins from the net to gain an offensive advantage with just under a minute left in regulation.
With 23 seconds left, junior defenseman Jordan Krause created an opportunity for the Huskies and took a shot from the point. Freshman forward Shelby Herrington was there for the rebound, but Maine sophomore goaltender Mariah Fujimagari had the save. The game ended in a 1-0 loss for Northeastern.
“I think at this point everyone is tired,” Desjardins said. “We have been on the road, we’ve been flying and just non-stop. I think we just need to get some rest, get it together, bring it together.”
The Huskies will have a break this week after five games in nine days and prepare to face Boston College this Saturday at Matthews Arena.
Photo courtesy Zack Williamson, Northeastern Athletics
