2-2 Split on League Weekend

This past weekend was the last of the cross over league weekends for the NAPHA League. All teams met in Albany, New York for a cross over round robin. Northwood took on Gilmour Academy, Ridley College, Nichols School, and Trinity College.

The first game on Friday was against Gilmour Academy played at RPI. It has been a battle for the huskies each time they have played Gilmour this year and this contest proved no different. Northwood got on the board first with a signature top shelf snipe by Lauren B ’15 with an assist from Nicole M ’15. Her quick wrist shot put a jump in the team’s play. It wasn’t long after this goal that the huskies became swept up in the momentum of the game and lost a little bit of focus resulting in a too many men bench penalty. Gilmour found the back of the net while on the power play, and then again a few minutes later going up 2-1. After a scoreless second period, the huskies tied it up 2-2 with a rebound goal by Kira C ’17 off a shot from the point by Alyson M ’15. Unfortunately, Gilmour clinched the go ahead goal and stole the game with a score of 3-2.

After the game, the whole team met at the Dinosaur BBQ in Troy to meet our members of the advancement office, Ms. Ashe and Mrs. Colby, as well as many parents and several alums to all have dinner together. This team has always loved “family dinner.”

Saturday the huskies took on Ridley in the morning and Nichols in the afternoon both at Union College, the site of the most recent Men’s National Championship winners. The team had an energy and determination to win after the disappointing loss to Gilmour. Alyson M ’15 put the huskies on the board first with a rush down the ice sliding the puck under the pad of the Ridley goalie. Northwood maintained control of the momentum of the game and forced Ridley to pull the goalie late into the third; Kira C ’17 scored on an empty net with an assist from Cailey H ’15. Northwood took the win, 2-0, Katey S ’15 with the shutout.

In the afternoon the huskies took on Nichols School. The last time these two teams met it was a heated and physical competition. Determined to play their best-executed game, the huskies came out flying and dominated 5-on-5 play. Nichols got on the board in the first period taking advantage of a power play. Northwood played hard from beginning to end and ended up losing 1-0; however, it was the best a Northwood girls’ team has performed against Nichols. After the game, the whole team went to Clifton Park area to cheer on the Northwood Prep team as they also played in league games. They lost to the Boston Bandits but played an excellent game.

Sunday morning the huskies took on Trinity. It was obvious that the team was determined to get one more win before travelling home. Everyone stepped it up and played a crisp and focused game filled with intensity and scoring. The final score was 7-3. Goals were scored by: Maci H ’15 (3), Nicole M ’15 (3), Sierra B ’18 (1) Assists by: Moe T ’18, Cailey H ’15, Maci H ’15, Nicole M ’15, and Lauren B ’15. Everyone is headed for February Break this Friday. League Championship weekend in Burlington, VT when we return.

Awesome Experiences Trump On-Ice Setbacks in New York/New Jersey

The Northwood Girls’ Hockey Team hopped aboard the charter bus Friday afternoon with their favorite driver, Jerome, at the wheel to head south for the weekend. Pulling into Princeton, NJ on Friday evening, the girls sniffed out the Lululemon store on Nassau Street before grabbing a quick bite to eat. A walk through the majestic Princeton University campus was serene, but cold, and the team was happy to arrive at Baker Arena in the middle of the first period of play between Princeton Women’s Hockey Team and Dartmouth. The girls enjoyed the competitive game, which ended in a 2-2 tie, while the coaches had the chance to catch up with Northwood Alum and current Princeton Tiger, Danny Paolillo ’11.

The Northwood Girls’ Hockey team with Northwood alum, Danny Paolillo, in Baker Arena at Princeton University

A nice late wake-up call was a good way to start Saturday. After breakfast the team departed for Lawrenceville School. Since the NJ traffic was very light on Saturday morning, they arrived to the game with plenty of time and had some fun singing Karaoke on the bus. Some of the highlights were: Brooke, Maddie, and Sierra belting Bruno Mars a la Pitch Perfect. Moe T wowing the bus when she sang an entire Japanese pop song. Sarra K., Issy R., Moe T, and Chloe H. impressing (or scarring) with their rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.”

Karaoke on the bus

Unfortunately, the fun times ended once the Huskies faced off against Lawrenceville School. The Big Red took it to the Huskies right off the bat, controlling the play. They out-hustled, out-muscled, and out-shot the Huskies in the first two periods and took a quick lead. After the second period, the Huskies regrouped a bit and played an even third period, but it was too little, too late. Northwood goals were scored by Maci and Nicole M. – both on the power play. Katey S. took the loss in net, making 25 saves.

The sting of the loss was buffered by a fun evening activity – tickets to the New York Rangers game at MSG. Jerome dropped the team off in front of MSG and as they stepped off the bus, most of the girls were in awe of the lights of the city, commotion, and energy. Mr Matteau had organized a box for the team, so the girls were able to watch the Rangers beat the Carolina Hurricanes from box seats.

The team with Mr. Matteau

 

Rangers vs ‘Canes

Box seats

 

Sunday morning was a tough turn-around, but the Huskies came out against Lawrenceville with more heart and determination. During this meeting, the game was back-and-forth, and both teams battled hard. Nicole M got the Huskies on the board first when she beat a Big Red “d” on a 1v1 and finished with a goal. The Big Red didn’t quit though, and the they eventually tied it up, then scored with five minutes left in the game. In the final few minutes, the Huskies found themselves in penalty trouble, and they couldn’t find a way to tie it up. 0-2 against Lawrenceville was a hard pill to swallow, but the girls had more work to do that day, so they swallowed their pride, hopped on the bus and headed to Westchester for their second game of the day.

The Mensi family ushered the late arriving Huskies directly to the locker room and the girls raced to gear up for a scrimmage against a mix of Northwood alums, women’s players, and prospective players. The drop of the puck was delayed when Alyson M took a shot against the glass in warm-ups, shattering it. Although Alyson is notorious for her powerful shot, shattering the glass is a first for her, and maybe  a first for a female hockey player ever!

 

Once the glass was cleared, the game started and the Huskies had all they could handle with Northwood alums, Monique Rafferty, Sam Faber, and Jackie Solomito. The Huskies scored on the power play when Maci and Nicole M found each other in the sweet spot, and Kira put home an even strength rebound, but the passing and hockey sense of experienced players couldn’t match the youthful energy of the Huskies and they lost 5-2.

Despite not having any wins, the weekend was full of memories and team bonding. With league championships right around the corner, the next two weekends of Huskies play will be all business.