First Home Weekend Shows Huskies Strengths and Weaknesses

In the first home weekend for the 2012-2013 Huskies, Northwood played host to visiting OHA. On Friday night, in front of a standing room only crowd at the Olympic Center, the Huskies battled the Mavericks for two 18 minute periods. The pace was fast and both the Huskies and Mavericks had opportunities, but both goalies stood strong. The Huskies showed their forechecking strength and very solid defensive zone coverage. After an ice cut,the Huskies came back out and gained momentum. However, an ill-timed turnover led to the Mavericks getting on the board first. But assistant captain Jess B was mad, and on the face off after the goal, she took the puck down the left side and sniped a top shelf goal to give the Huskies hope. With three minutes remaining, a bad match-up led to another OHA goal, and this time Northwood couldn’t even it out. With 6 skaters, they had chances but when OHA got the puck out of their zone, they sealed the deal. Throughout the game, Northwood showed great intensity and effort. They also accomplished their goal of being the best passing team on the ice, despite not getting the win.

The Huskie seniors had to sit for the ACT tests on Saturday morning, and then the team had the rest of the day off. After a delicious home cooked meal by Julie D’s family on Saturday night, the girls felt positive about their rematch Sunday afternoon.

However, the stars were certainly not aligned on Sunday. The Huskies came out flat, and despite spurts of momentum and some good individual efforts, Northwood could not put it all together. The Mavericks dominated the game on the ice, and on the scoreboard. It was a good lesson to learn early on in the season, as Northwood will be facing many of the same teams from now to March. If they approach every game as a new challenge and not a continuation of the last game,they are sure to have a great season.

Huskies Claim Third Place in First Weekend

Rainbow on the way to the game proved to be good luck.

After only practicing for a week and a half, the Huskies proved that their natural team chemistry was enough to clinch third place in the Fall Foliage Tournament in Burlington, Vermont this weekend!  The locker room was full of energy and positivity headed into the fourth game of the weekend.  The team had a collective goal: to win third place in the tournament.  Senior assistant captain Jess B. set the pace with a glove side top shelf goal from a pass by senior captain Erin B.  Shortly after, Meghan C. ’13 put a rebound home with the help of the hard work of Cassie K. ’14 and Nicki C. ’14 to go up 2-0.  Before the end of the period, OHA got on the board making the score 2-1 at the end of the first eighteen minute half.

The next three, and final goals of the game, belonged to Northwood.  It was a personal goal of Cailey H. ’15 to score more than one goal in a weekend this season, and this weekend she accomplished her goal. Cailey scored her second goal of the weekend, assists going to Brennan B ’13 and Nicole M. ’15.  The self titled “Doughnut line” netted the final two goals of the game.  Jess B. scored her second of the game with another top shelf breakaway goal; unassisted, and Serena M. ’13 assured the gap with her first goal of the season with the help of hard working Hailey S. ’13.

the “doughnut line” has created a way to assure they score goals. Collectively they netted 3 of the 5 goals in the third place game…apparently they have found something that works!

The team had fun on the ride home, for some like Nicole C. and Maci H., it was their first time on a ferry.

The weekend was a great glimpse into the season ahead.  The Huskies are excited to be underway.  They sure are “holding the rope!” Great job Huskies!

’12-’13 Northwood Huskies on the ferry back to New York after winning third place in the Fall Foliage Tournament in Burlington, Vermont.

Solid Start Leads to Battle for Third Place

Pre game huddle

The Northwood Huskies traveled across Lake Champlain to compete in the Vermont Stars Fall Classic tournament. The girls opened up against a mixed team of Rice Knights and Vermont Stars 19U. The game was sloppy, but the hustle was evident. The Stars got on the board first with a power play goal, but Northwood answered back when Jess B. scored a beautiful goal from the top of the circle. Hailey S. picked up the assist to complete the sunshine connection. Northwood took the lead after Cailey H. shoved a rebound home. Brennan B. and Nicole M. assisted on the goal. The Stars tied it up, but Nicole G. held strong in net to pick up the point for a tie. After the game, the girls went shopping where some girls bought formal dinner dresses, some bought hockey gear, and some bought both!

Eva M. with her formal dinner dress and her new skates

In the second game of the tournament, the Huskies faced the Boston Shamrocks, a team with a familiar face of Kayley R. ’12. Kayley is playing for the Shamrocks during her gap year this year, and the returning Huskie players had the treat of battling against her in the corners again. Northwood played an aggressive and inspired game, but couldn’t get on the board. Lindsay P. kept the game tight at 2-0, but an empty netter ended the game with a 3-0 final. Still, the Huskies were proud of their performance of battling hard against a more seasoned team, as the Shamrocks are already more than a dozen games into their season.

Nicole G., Brennan B., Kayley R. ’12, Cassie K. and Julie D.

In the final game of the round robin round, the Huskies faced the Vermont Shamrocks. Northwood dominated the game from the start and Erin B. put them ahead with a beautiful goal in the first period. She scored again in the second, with an assist by Nicki C. to get some breathing room. The Shamrocks scored a power play late in the game to close the gap, but Nicole G. shut them down after that to keep the win.

The 1-1-1 record was good enough to advance the Huskies to Sunday where they will play the OHA Mavericks for third place.

Newly Elected Captains Lead Huskies into Season Opener

Captain Erin B. with Assistants Jess B. and Julie D.

This season the Northwood girls’ hockey team participated in a different process when voting for captains.  Before practice on Wednesday, the team made nominations for who they felt are teammates that have the leadership qualities they want in their team captains.  There were several nominees; all of who were able to hear their teammates say encouraging things about them to the group. After nominations were made, the Huskies went out for practice on the 1980 rink and had some time to think about who they wanted to lead the team this season.

Later, each member of the team cast her vote for their two top choices in person to the coaches.  The votes were tallied and captains were announced Thursday before practice. With over 10 nominees and numerous natural leaders, it was a challenging decision for most of the players.

This year’s captain is Erin B. ’13 and assistant captains are Jess B. ’13 and Julie D. ’13.  All three of these seniors were voted by their teammates for their leadership abilities on and off the ice.  They are exceptional young ladies and are excited for the season to get underway on Friday!

First Week In

The Northwood School Girls’ Hockey Team hit the ice a week ago, October 9th. Despite having pre-season testing, training, and team bonding this fall, the date was circled on most players’ calendars as the day when hockey really started. Stepping on the Olympic Center ice as a new team was refreshing and exciting. The first few days of practice were skill focused, allowing each player to get her nervous energy out and also apply her attention to improving individual skills. Now, a week into practice season, team systems are beginning to come together and on-ice chemistry is starting to form. It is moving to watch 24 separate individuals truly become a team. Although there is a long season ahead, the first week in has been gratifying!

 

Hiking in the Adirondacks

Despite the torrential downpour the night before, Mountain Day 2012 turned out to be a glorious day for Northwood students and faculty to experience one of the joys of living in the Adirondacks – hiking. An annual tradition that goes back at least 20 years, Mountain Day is always a highlight. Students are broken up into groups and assigned one of the Adirondack Mountains with a faculty guide. This year, hikes ranged from the High Peaks of  Marcy, Algonquin, and Giant to the more reasonable, yet still challenging, Pitchoff and Van Hovenberg.

While many on the Northwood girls’ hockey team are not dedicated hikers, they all found their conditioning and pre-season work paid off as they reached the summit. They also gained a new appreciation for the beauty of nature and built connections that will last a lifetime.

Northwood students, including Julie D. (4th from right) on the top of Cascade Mountain.