University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
27-8-2
Northeastern
28-8-1
Huskies Crowned Hockey East Tournament Champions
3/8/2026 3:02:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
STORRS, Conn. – The UConn women's hockey team secured the program's second Hockey East Tournament Championship on Saturday afternoon, as the No. 2 seed Huskies defeated No. 1 seed Northeastern, 2-1 in double overtime. Senior captain Kyla Josifovic scored the sudden-death game-winning goal in the second overtime period, punching UConn's ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in the last three years.
UConn goaltender Tia Chan was outstanding in net for the Huskies, making a career high 57 saves, 33 of which came in the two overtime periods. Her stellar performance earned her 26th win of the season, extending the program's single season record for wins by a goaltender.
The first period opened with UConn's Brooke Campbell winning the opening faceoff against Northeastern's Allie Lalonde. Both teams exchanged numerous shots throughout the period but could not find the back of the net. UConn edged Northeastern in shots in the opening 20 minutes, 12-11. The Huskies earned the lone power play of the period following a tripping penalty on Northeastern, but despite consistent pressure, the period ended scoreless.
UConn opened the scoring early in the second period as sophomore forward Sadie Hotles netted her eighth goal of the season, giving the Huskies a 1-0 lead.
Northeastern responded five minutes later with a power-play goal from Rylie Jones, tying the game at 1–1. UConn continued to apply pressure with multiple shots, but Northeastern goaltender Lisa Jönsson made critical saves to maintain the score at 1-1. Shots favored UConn in the second period, 17-8. Northeastern converted on their lone power-play of the period while UConn went 0-for-2 on their power-play opportunities.
The third period saw UConn pressing offensively for a potential game-winner, producing multiple attempts that were saved by Northeastern's Jönsson. The UConn defense was equally active, blocking numerous Northeastern shots. The Huskies finished with a season high 39 blocks in the game, led by seniors Emma Eryou (10), and Meghane Duchesne-Chalifoux (8). Despite both teams generating chances at a game-winner, neither team could find a way past the two netminders, maintaining a scoreless period, sending the game to sudden-death overtime knotted at 1-1.
In the first 20-minute overtime period, both UConn and Northeastern fought fiercely but still remained scoreless, sending the game to a second overtime. Chan played a key role in extending the game, making 17 saves in the first overtime period, compared to Jönsson's 8.
The second overtime period was tightly contested between the Huskies and Northeastern, with both teams generating numerous scoring opportunities. Chan made several crucial saves, stopping 16 shots, while Jönsson did the same for Northeastern.
With 4:37 left on the clock in the second overtime period, Kyla Josifovic scored the game-winner, off a rebound from a Claire Murdoch shot that bounced off the left pad of Jönsson and onto the stick of Josifovic. The goal marked Josifovic's 14th of the season and her 4th game-winning goal this year. She also recorded a season-high 10 shots in the game.
UConn was narrowly outshot by Northeastern 58–56 but held a decisive advantage in the faceoff circle, winning 48 of 83 draws. On the power play, UConn went 0-for-3, while Northeastern converted on its single opportunity. Additionally, the Huskies blocked a season high 39 shots, compared to Northeastern's 25, showcasing strong defensive effort on both sides.
Up Next
UConn will await to hear their name get called on Selection Sunday on March 8. The show will air at 11:30am on ESPNU.
