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Maine Powers Past Northeastern 5-0
Feb. 19, 2005
Orono, Maine - Maine improves to 14-11-3 (5-9-2 HE) after a dominating performance against the visiting Northeastern Huskies (3-22-3, 2-12-2 HE) at Alfond Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Black Bears used a three-goal second period and their penalty kill unit to sweep the Huskies with a 5-0 win and gain two more conference points. Maine scorers were Brigitte Laflamme (St.-Augustin, Quebec), Kate Sunstrum (London, Ontario), Tristan Desmet (Strathmore, Alberta), Kelly Law (Markham, Ontario) and Julie Poulin (Beauceville, Quebec). Rachel Gettings (Watervliet, New York) recorded her fourth shutout of the year. Maine opened up the first period on the penalty kill when junior forward Cheryl White (Portage la Prairie, Manitoba) was called for roughing 1:11 into the period. Maine killed the penalty and gradually built momentum. The Black Bears doubled Northeastern in shots 10 to 5 with most of Northeastern's shots from distance that were easily saved by sophomore goaltender Rachel Gettings (Watervliet, New York). Maine almost took the lead when sophomore forward Brigitte Laflamme (St.-Augustin, Quebec) grabbed a loose puck just in front of the net and was able to get a shot off while being knocked down. The puck slid just outside of the post and almost beat Marisa Hourihan, the Huskies goaltender. Laflamme did not miss the second time around as she netted her fourth goal on the year at the 11:31 mark. Senior captain Laura Maddin (Surrey, British Columbia) tallied her eighth assist on the season as she ripped a shot from the blue line that richocheted to Laflamme who buried the rebound. Maine killed another late penalty to enter the first intermission up 1-0.
Maine used the second period to build a four goal cushion as they scored three goals, two in the first three minutes. Northeastern was called for a penalty 30 seconds into the period and Maine took full advantage. Sophomore forward Kate Sunstrum (London, Ontario) scored a power play goal and her ninth goal of the year 1:11 into the period with assists from Danielle Tangredi (London, Ontario) and Julie Poulin (Beauceville, Quebec). Tangredi registers her first assist as a Black Bear with Poulin tallying her seventh. A little over a minute later and 2:58 into the second period, senior captain Tristan Desmet (Strathmore, Alberta) scored her 15th goal of the year and third in this series off an assist from fellow linemate Cheryl White who tallies her ninth assist on the year. It was then Maine's turn to kill off a penalty. While down a player, junior forward Andrea Steranko (Regina, Saskatchewan) almost scored a short-handed goal when she stole the puck inside the blue line and tried to beat Hourihan over her left shoulder. Hourihan made a great glove save to keep the Huskies within striking distance. Sophomore defenseman Kelly Law (Markham, Ontario) made it 4-0 when she scored her second goal of the season seconds after Maine's power play expired with just under three minutes remaining in the period. The Black Bears went 1-2 on the power play and held Northeastern scoreless killing two penalties. Gettings made some great saves while on the penalty kill to keep a clean sheet after two periods of play. The third period saw 10 penalties with Maine receiving six and Northeastern four. Maine played the bulk of the period either a man down or two down. Northeastern sparatically would send Hourihan to the bench in favor of a sixth skater. Maine was able to kill all six penalties making the Huskies 0-8 on the afternoon. Poulin made it 5-0 when she scored an empty netter while on the power play. Northeastern had pulled Hourihan to skate even at five apiece when Poulin flung a shot from inside her own blue line. It's Poulin's fourth goal of the year and was recorded as an unassisted goal. Gettings made 16 saves and improves to 14-11-2 with the shutout and her counterpart Hourihan made 29 saves and drops to 3-22-3 on the year. Maine was 2-8 on the power play and Northeastern was 0-8 on the afternoon. Maine outshot the Huskies 34 to 16. The Black Bears return to action next weekend when they travel to rival Boston College for a pair of crucial Hockey East conference games that could decide who makes the playoffs. Maine is currently in fourth place with 12 points just two points ahead of Boston College (10) who host Providence College later on today and Sunday afternoon. For more information go to www.GoBlackBears.com. |
