Huskies Close out 2015-2016 with a W

The last weekend of the Huskies’ season was deja vu of weekends past. In the four games the Huskies played, they ended up on the losing side of three, going 1-3 for the weekend.

The team started off with a crazy game between Rice Memorial. Traditionally, games against Rice have always been defensive battles, but this time, both teams let their offenses loose, with detrimental defensive results. The Huskies managed to score four goals, a number which usually assures them a win, but the Knights put home nine in the back-and-forth match. Moe Tsukimoto, Kira Collins, Bridgit Sullivan, and Madison Gneo all scored goals in the loss, and Bridgit received player of the game for the Huskies.

After the game, the team was welcome to the Dufresne home for a home-cooked meal to shake off the loss. The pasta and maple pie worked as the Huskies played considerably better in the following three games.

Both games on Saturday were against OHA Gold, a tournament format that may not have been ideal, but allowed the team to show improvement and growth. In the first OHA game, the Huskies got outplayed in the first and found themselves down three. They allowed one goal in the second, but made it their mission to win the third period, which they did with a 6-3 final score. Sara Donatello started to the scoring for the Huskies with a bomb from the half wall, and Moe Tsukimoto and Syd Collins contributed the other two goals. Hanna Markel took the loss in net, but had a solid game. Moe received player of the game, and was happy to share the honor with her friend Rui from OHA during the game.

In the second game against OHA, the two teams played closer. OHA again took the lead, but the Huskies held them close. With a few minutes left, they pulled their goalie when they had a power play to make it a 6v4, and finally the puck dropped in for the Huskies. The 3-1 loss wasn’t ideal, but the team felt good about their effort and improvement throughout the day.

In what would be the last game of the 2015-2016 season, the Huskies took on league opponent, KES. KES had gotten the better of the Huskies in their last three match-ups, but the girls knew it was a winnable game and they were determined to end the season with a W. Natalie Giglio got the team on the board in the first period with a beautiful goal off of the faceoff. Hannah Davis scored in the second to give the Huskies a two-goal lead. With a few minutes left, a KES player beat a Husky defender and sniped on Ashley Davis, ruining her near-perfect game, but the Huskies held on to the win, with Bridgit Sullivan scoring with just a second left to end her Northwood career on a high note.

Seniors Finish Strong in Last Home Weekend

The Class of 2016 enjoyed their last home game this past weekend. Prior to the game, a brief ceremony celebrated the six seniors.

Kiana Watson #27

Kiana joined the Huskies this fall and made an immediate impact. She has natural hockey sense which consistently lead her to be in the right place at the right time to capitalize.  Kiana has a signature grit and determination; she always came out of a battle with the puck.  Unfortunately, Kiana’s season was cut short due to a concussion, but she has remained optimistic. She is a positive member of our team, supporting her teammates through the season’s ups-and-downs. Hailing from North Vancouver, British Columbia, Kiana plans to return to Canada to study business or law in a Canadian University.

Tatum Gietl #4

A proud Colorado native, Tatum came to Northwood this past fall.  She was called upon to be a defensive anchor early on and she has continued to be a defensive force all season. Her soft hands and quick shot round her out offensively as the full package. Tatum is planning on attending the University of New England next year to study businesses and play for the Nor’Easters in the New England Hockey Conference.

Brooke Boyer #10

Assistant captain, Brooke Boyer, came to us from Raleigh, NC last year. Brooke’s sunny disposition and positive energy is always welcome, but that doesn’t mean she’s a pushover. Brooke’s feisty forechecking has led to many turnovers and scoring opportunities. Most importantly, she’s an ideal teammate and friend. In addition to her on-ice accomplishments, Brooke is an RA and maintains a 3.8 GPA. Brooke will attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges next year to play for the Herons.

Bridgit Sullivan #21

Bridgit, captain of this year’s team, is a day student from Saranac Lake, NY. Bridgit arrived as a shy sophomore and has grown as a player, student, and leader in her three years at Northwood. Her speed and intensity help set the tone in practices and games, and she can always be counted on to give her full effort. Bridgit is on the Headmaster’s Council, Judiciary Board, and Student Council. She will attend Union College next year and hopes to help the Dutchwomen earn some ECAC victories while studying International politics.

Natalie Giglio #26

Assistant captain, Natalie Giglio hails from Ogdensburg, NY. Natalie was a standout high school player before making the jump to the prep level. Her skill, play making abilities, and composure with the puck have transferred well and helped the Huskies win some big games. Natalie has been accepted to Clarkson University, the University of New Hampshire, SUNY Plattsburgh, Rochester Institute of Technology, and SUNY Oswego.

 

Kim Mongrain #31

Kim, from La Sarre, Quebec came to Northwood as a postgraduate student. Kim’s work ethic, on and off the ice, has helped her develop into a solid goaltender, earning multiple shut-outs this year for the Huskies. Kim’s easy-going demeanor and willingness to help others has made everyone’s experience at Northwood better. She’s waiting to hear good news from Canadian Universities so she can return to Canada and pursue a degree in physical education.

On the ice, the team split with Ontario Hockey Academy, winning on the road and losing at home. On Saturday, they converted on three of five power plays and added one even strength goal to dominate the game. On Sunday, the two teams played tighter in a back-and-forth effort that eventually saw OHA take the final lead for the win.

Saturday’s game got off to a great start when a clean faceoff win to Saara Keranan ended resulted in a shot from the point. The OHA goalie made the first save, but Madison Gneo was able to find the rebound for the goal. The Huskies scored a few minutes later when Sara Donatello had her own shot from the point on the power play. This time, it hit the post and went it, resulting in Sara’s first Northwood goal of the season and the second of the game. Bridgit Sullivan scored two more power play goals to make it 4, and Ashley Davis only allowed one goal against for the win.

The Huskies scored first in Sunday’s game, too, when Moe Tsukimoto dangled an OHA defender and beat the goalie high. Natalie Giglio followed it up with a beautiful walk and shot from the half-wall. OHA scored the next goal, and from then on, it was a ping pong match. Syd Collins was aggressive on the forecheck and scored a shorthanded goal, but OHA answered back after a bad bounce left an OHA player alone with Kim Mongrain, the Husky goaltender. Tatum Gietl had a beautiful shot on the power play, to gain the lead again. However, OHA scored the next two to tie it up and take the lead with two minutes left. The Huskies pulled their goalie, but took a penalty after, and they couldn’t convert on any of the opportunities.

 

NAHA Tournament Welcomes Spring

As the snow began to melt in Lake Placid, the feeling of spring was in the air. And with spring, comes the annual NAHA tournament. The Huskies took off for Stowe, VT after classes on Friday. They faced off against Stanstead College in the fourth meeting between the two teams this year. Stanstead got off to an early start, scoring two in the first period, and three in the third. In between periods, the Huskies vowed to make the third period count. Stanstead scored first in the third, but the Huskies answered back right away when Syd Collins found a rebound on the power play. She scored again later in the third to tie up the third period and leave the Huskies with a positive feeling as they moved forward in the tournament.

On Saturday morning, the Huskies came out flying against OHA White. It was Syd Collins again who got the Huskies on the board when she found another power play rebound. Moe Tsukimoto scored bar down to start the scoring in the second. Then Brooke Boyer had a beautiful forecheck and found Nikki Kendrick creeping in the slot for the third goal of the game and to close out the second period. Kim Mongrain played solidly in net Madison Gneo scored in the third period to make it 4-0. However, two mental lapses led to two quick goals by OHA. After a regrouping time-out, the Huskies went out and dominated the rest of the game, with Justine Dufresne adding an insurance goal when she beat the Maverick goalie high late in the third period.

The third game of the day was a match-up against OHA’s second team, Maroon. This battle was more competitive, and the two teams traded chances in the first. OHA scored first, but the Huskies kept at them. It Tatum Gietl’s fluky off-angle shot that finally beat the OHA goalie though, proving the adage, “you never know what will happen when you put the puck on net.” OHA scored again in the second period to take the lead, and this time, the girls’ couldn’t find a way to come back, losing the game with an empty net goal at the end.

For the consolation game of the tournament, Northwood played the home team, NAHA Red. It was a fast and intense game, and the Huskies outshot the Winterhawks, but nothing would drop. A tough bounce half way through the first gave a Winterhawk skater a breakaway, which she capitalized on to take the lead. They scored later in the first on a power player for a 2-0 lead after the first. The Winterhawks scored two more goals in the second period for a 4-0 lead, but the Huskies didn’t quit. Moe Tsukimoto finally found the back of the net late in the third period when she snuck a puck by the NAHA goalie, shorthanded. She scored again a minute later on the rebound to make it close, but the Huskies ran out of time.