Feb. 11, 2003

#9 Providence College Friars (16-6-6 / 11-1-1): The Providence College women's ice hockey team hosts cross town rival Brown on February 12. Providence is coming off a two-game sweep of Connecticut this past weekend. On Friday, February 7, the Friars defeated the Huskies, 3-2. The game-winner was scored by way of a two-on-one breakaway in which Providence freshman Katelynn Laffin (Norwell, Mass.) faked a shot and passed cross-ice to sophomore Christina Redmond (Dorchester, Mass.) who put the puck in the net. The following day, the Friars traveled to Storrs, Conn. and defeated the Huskies, 2-1. That game-winning goal was scored by junior Kelli Halcisak (Grosse Ile, Mich.). The assists were awarded to junior Darlene Stephenson (Virden, Manitoba) and senior Jenn Butsch (Berlin, Vt.). This assist marked the 100th career point for Butsch making her the 23rd woman in Providence College history to reach the century mark. For the year, Butsch is now tied for the team lead in points (28), with sophomore Rush Zimmerman (Grosse Pointe, Mich.). Freshman goaltender Jana Bugden (Corner Brook, Newfoundland) was named HOCKEY EAST Defensive Player of the Week on February 10 for her strong play against Connecticut. She made 45 saves on 48 shots over the weekend series. Bugden is now 14-5-5 on the season with a 1.71 goals against average. The Friars will attempt to defeat the Bears for the first time since a 2-0 victory in the 1997-98 season. Earlier this season, Providence and Brown skated to a 4-4 tie in the Mayor's Cup at Brown University on November 26.

Brown University (9-9-4 / 6-4-1): The Bears travel to ninth-ranked Providence to face the Friars looking to rebound from a 3-0 loss against fourth-ranked Dartmouth on Saturday, February 8. Brown senior Pam Dreyer (Eagle River, Alaska) made 31 saves in the game as her record fell to 8-7-4 on the year. She currently has a .909 save percentage and a 2.32 goals against average. The Bears are led offensively by sophomore forward Jessica Link (Clifton Park, N.Y.) whose 14 goals, 16 assists, and 30 points are all team-highs. Freshman forward Karen Thatcher ranks second on the team in points with 20 on seven goals and 13 assists. Brown and Providence have met 47 times with the Friars owning a 26-19-2 all-time record. Over the past 23 matchups however, the Bears own an 18-3-2 record.