University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Host Boston University, Travel To Providence
12/1/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
Dec. 1, 2010
STORRS, Conn. - Following two weeks away from Hockey East action, the University of Connecticut women's ice hockey team will return to conference play this weekend when they host Boston University at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday (Dec. 4) and travel to Providence for a 2:00 p.m. contest on Sunday (Dec. 5). Both games will mark the first time that UConn has faced either opponent this season.
The Huskies, who will be trying for their fifth-straight Hockey East victory on Saturday, are tied for second in the conference standings behind Boston College who improved to 6-1-2 over the weekend. The Huskies share second place with the Terriers, making Saturday's contest crucial for both teams.
Taylor Gross (Colorado Springs, Colo.), who has a team-best nine goals, became the ninth Husky to record a hat trick when she did so against Sacred Heart last weekend. Gross also tallied an assist during the game, becoming the first Husky to record four points this season while classmate Jocelyn Slattery (Hugo, Minn.) posted five points on five assists, the first to do so since Dominique Thibault during the 2008-09 season.
Also returning to her offensive stride was Jennifer Chaisson (Cumberland, Ont.), who now ranks sixth on the UConn all-time chart with 74 career points after posting a goal and three assists over the weekend. Chaisson, Gross and Sami Evelyn (Nepean, Ont.) have all recorded points in at least two straight games coming into this weekend, Evelyn leading the way with three goals and two assists over the last three games while Chaisson and Gross have combined for five goals and four assists in the past two contests.
In just her second game as a Husky, Nicole Paniccia (Oakville, Ont.) recorded her first career shutout, stopping all 21 shots during the Sacred Heart contest. The 21 saves also tied her career-high which she first set back in October at Syracuse.
Alexandra Garcia (Pointe-Claire, Que.), who has had a commanding month in net for the Huskies, was recently tabbed the WHEA Goaltender of the Month for November. Garcia led the Huskies to a 5-1-0 record during November after posting 139 saves (.959 SVP) and allowing just six goals (1.22 GAA). She has recorded 413 saves on the year and is atop the UConn all-time list with a career goals against average of 1.92.
The Huskies hold an 8-4-3 all-time record against Boston University, including a 4-1-2 mark at home while UConn has won or tied five out of the last six games against Providence. The Terriers enter Saturday's contest on a three-game win streak, while the Friars enter the weekend on a two-game win streak, facing New Hampshire prior to Sunday's contest.
