University of Connecticut Athletics
WHOC Celebrates Senior Weekend Against Merrimack
2/15/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
FRIDAY: | Video | @UConnWHOC
SATURDAY: | Video | @UConnWHOC
STORRS, Conn. - Playoff implications surround the final weekend of the regular season for the UConn women's ice hockey team, as it plays host to Merrimack for a two-game series to determine which team will grab the final spot in the Hockey East Tournament.
With the first seven playoff spots claimed, the Huskies (11-12-9, 5-11-6 WHEA) and Warriors (11-18-3, 6-14-2 WHEA) will battle for a postseason berth at the Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum. Friday's game is at 7 p.m. and Saturday begins at 2 p.m.
UConn will recognize its eight senior players in a pregame ceremony on Saturday. Madison Badeau, Annie Belanger, Cydnee Cook, Justine Fredette, Theresa Knutson, Leah Lum, Reese Maccario and Lindsay Roethke will be celebrated for their contributions over the past four years.
Entering the weekend, the Huskies need at least two points to qualify for the Hockey East playoffs. Depending on other results throughout the league, UConn can get as high as the six-seed in the tournament.
Coming off a one-point weekend in a defensive struggle against Vermont, the Huskies have won four of their last six games - including three wins over ranked opponents. Saturday's game against the Catamounts ended in a 0-0 tie, changing UConn's overtime record this season to 3-1-8.
Earlier this season, Merrimack beat UConn, 2-1, at Lawler Rink on Jan. 5. The Huskies are 4-2-1 all-time against the Warriors.
🎥 @ChrisMackenzie0 on past weekend against Vermont, final regular season series against Merrimack. #LeadThePack pic.twitter.com/YfH2moMmim
- UConn Women's Hockey (@UConnWHOC) February 14, 2018
SCOUTING MERRIMACK
The Warriors have won two of their last three games, including wins over Providence and Vermont. Junior forward Katelyn Rae is the team's leading scorer in goals (20), assists (9) and points (29), while junior Samantha Ridgewell has an 8-11-1 record in goal this season. Merrimack ranks last in Hockey East in scoring offense, power play conversion and penalty kills.
"They have some great offensive players like Katelyn Rae…they have a lot of players with a lot of experience," said head coach Chris MacKenzie. "You don't see many seniors on their roster, but their juniors have played a lot of minutes. They are a battle-tested team…We're taking nothing for granted. It's nice to have home ice, but anything can happen."
ALMOST 100
Leah Lum is only three points away from becoming the third player in program history to reach the 100-point mark in her UConn career. She currently ranks third in all-time points with 97 and is tied with Jennifer Chaisson for third in all-time assists (57). At least two more games remain for the senior forward to hit triple-digits.
SENIOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Over the past four seasons under head coach Chris MacKenzie, UConn's eight-player senior class has accounted for 53 victories - including 30 in Hockey East play. The Huskies reached back-to-back Hockey East semifinals in 2015 and 2016, while qualifying for the league playoffs each season.
