Huskies Split NAPHA League Weekend

For the first time this season, the entire NAPHA League met for a cross over weekend in Cicero, NY. The McMaster Division and the Macleod Division played a round robin weekend on the hunt for league points. Northwood played Ridley College, Gilmour Academy, Trinity College, and Nichols School respectively.

Unfortunately, this weekend took place in the middle of cold and flu season, and with many players battling illness, the huskies had to tap into their extra stores of resiliency to play hard and put pucks to net. The first game Friday against Ridley started off slow before gaining momentum. It took most of the first period to get the bus legs out and the puck under control. Once the huskies figured out their rhythm goals were soon to follow. Cailey H ‘15 netted the first goal with an assist from Nicole Mensi ’15. After the first goal, the hockey gods were on our side as the huskies netted two more before the game’s end: one power play goal by Bridgit S ’16, assist by Cailey H ’15, and one empty net goal to seal the deal by Cailey H ’15.

After the game, we hustled back to the hotel to shower and relax for a minute before heading to the Kessel’s for dinner. It was so nice to have family dinner at a teammate’s house. We didn’t waste anytime raising the volume as we jumped into our long overdue Secret Santa holiday exchange. Sabryna S’ ’17 put it perfectly when she said, “last year was the year of the pom hat, this year is the year of the scarf” with many of the girls exchanging Lululemon headbands and scarves. Thank you for hosting us Kessel Family!

Saturday morning the huskies took on Gilmour. The game was not too early but they just could not seem to get their legs under them. The game was consistent but Gilmour notched the only goal off of a breakaway. In the afternoon, the huskies battled Trinity College. With a chip on their shoulder from the morning loss, they were determined not to be down. It was a goal by Cailey H ’15 that put the huskies on the board first and then a quick second by Alyson M ’15 to assure control of the game. The assurance goal was netted on the power play by Nicole M ’15 with a pass from Maci H ’15 to round out the senior contributions.

The final game Sunday morning was against Nichols. The pace of the game was fast, but the huskies were caught off guard in the defensive zone only a few minutes in when a shot on net got by Lindsay P ’15. The game heightened in physicality and intensity from both teams, but Nichols scored a second goal with six minutes left in the first. Though the huskies played hard, they were unable to recover from the two-goal deficit and lost with a final score of 4-0 with Nichols netting two more before the end of the game.

Huskies Come up Just Short in Tournament Championship

A good run came up short for the Northwood Girls’ Hockey team in the 36th Annual Northwood Invitational tournament. With plenty of family and friends in town, the the always exciting weekend started off right as the Huskies shut-out Cornwall in their opening match. Having not played a game in almost a month, the girls took their time warming up. Despite out-shooting the Typhoons, it wasn’t until almost the end of the first half that Nicole M. got the team on the board with a power play goal. Cailey scored her own power play goal in the second half, her first one since being back on the ice after suffering a broken collarbone. Lindsay P. played great in net for the win and shut-out.

The Huskies gave themselves a little more breathing room in the second game of the tournament, as they dominated on the ice and on the scoreboard in their game against Wyoming Seminary. Nicole M had a hat trick, Moe scored two, and Rachel L added her own goal to lift the Huskies 6-1. Katey S. had a strong game in net to give the Huskies their second win of the tournament.

In the third, and final game of the round robin, the Huskies faced Applby College, a team that had also won their first two games of the tournament. Both teams played well, not allowing too many quality chances. Appleby got on the board first, but Cailey tied it up to go into the locker room 1-1. Another close half had the Whippets and Huskies trading chances, but it was only Appleby would converted, scoring late in the game for the win.

Due to their low goals against in the round robin, the Huskies made it to the semifinal game, where they found they would face league nemesis, Rothesay-Netherwood School (RNS). In their two previous match-ups this year, Northwood found themselves on the losing end, but this time, they were playing at home and had a renewed confidence. In the semifinal game, the Huskies started off with an intensity and determination that was unmatched by the Riverhawks. In a blur of adrenal, puck movement, and fierce shots – Northwood scored a power play goal and then three short-handed goals to take a 4-0 lead after the first half. Nicole had the power play goal, Moe had the first short handed goal, and Cailey buried the two other shorties. The second half saw Northwood play a little more conservatively to keep the lead, but they managed another goal when Nicole scored even strength and their strong defensive play helped Lindsay keep the shut-out to make it to the Championship game.

Watch the semi-final game below:

http://thecube.com/e/444906

When they found they’d be playing Appleby again, the Huskies felt positive, knowing it would be a tough game, but that the Whippets were beatable. As in deja-vu, it was again back-and-forth in the Championship game. Lauren B. scored first on the power play, but Appleby tied it at 1-1 a few minutes later. With just five minutes left in the game, Appleby scored off the rush to take the lead. Northwood tried pulling their goalie for an extra attacker, but the Whippets scored on the empty net with 30 seconds to go for the win.

Their 3-2 weekend and trip the Championship was the best performance at the Northwood tournament that the Huskies have had in the last ten years. They hope to keep the momentum moving forward as they head to Cicero, NY next weekend for league play.