University of Connecticut Athletics
Thibault Wins Weekly Hockey East Rookie Honor Again
2/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
STORRS, Conn. (February 12, 2007) – University of Connecticut women’s hockey freshman forward Dominique Thibault (L’Orignal, Ont.) has been named the Hockey East Association’s Rookie of the Week for the second time in three weeks.
Thibault scored the game-winning goal in the third period and also added an assist on UConn’s first goal as the Huskies claimed a 3-2 win over No. 9 Boston College on Saturday afternoon in Chestnut Hill. She was also a +1 for the week, including UConn’s game at Brown on Wednesday night. The goal, scored 1:20 into the third period, was her third game-winner of the year, tying her for fourth in the league and first amongst freshmen. The win established UConn records for both overall wins in a single season (17) and seasonal wins in Hockey East play (12). It upped UConn’s mark to 4-4-1 this year against ranked teams. Meanwhile, it was UConn’s second win this year at Kelley Rink, representing both of the losses in BC’s 11-2-2 home record this year at the Heights.
Thibault now boasts 13 goals on the year and 10 assists for 23 points in 28 games played with a plus-8 rating. The 13 goals, 23 points and +8 rating all rank second on the Huskies. Thibault’s 13 goals on the year tie for the fifth-best seasonal total in school history along with her freshman teammate Amy Hollstein (Pembroke, Mass.). The 13 goals by both Thibault and Hollstein are part of a four-way tie for second in Hockey East this year amongst freshmen. Thibault’s 23 points are part of a three-way tie for sixth in school history for a single season. Her seven power play goals on the year are fifth in Hockey East and tops amongst freshmen.
Two weeks ago, Thibault also picked up the honor after she netted a pair of goals, including the game-winner, in UConn’s 4-1 win over Northeastern on Saturday, Jan. 27. She also added an assist on UConn’s first goal of the day for a three-point afternoon that accompanied a +3 rating in the contest.
Thibault is one of three league Rookie of the Week recipients this season for UConn. Defenseman Cristin Allen (Pickering, Ont.) earned the honor on Oct. 16 and goaltender Jennie Bellonio (Guilford, Conn.) took it home on Jan. 2. The Huskies have enjoyed the winningest season in school history and that has been reflected in the Hockey East weekly honors. Junior Jaclyn Hawkins (Manotick, Ont.) was named the league Player of the Week on Oct. 23 and its Player of the Month for November. Defenseman Natalie Vibert (Thunder Bay, Ont.) was Player of the Week on Nov. 13 and goaltender Brittany Wilson (Nepean, Ont.) was the league’s Player of the Week on Jan. 22, its Defensive Player of the Week four times (Oct. 30, Dec. 4, Dec. 11 and Feb. 5) and its Goaltender of the Month for February.
The Huskies (17-11-2, 12-4-1 Hockey East) return to action this weekend when they face No. 4 New Hampshire (22-3-4, 14-1-1 HE) in a home-and-home series pitting the top two teams in the Hockey East standings. The Wildcats travel to the Freitas Ice Forum on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. while the Huskies head north to Durham, N.H. on Sunday for a 2:00 p.m. game.
