Women's Hockey Falls at Providence in Quarterfinals, 6-0

The University of Maine women's hockey teams' fantastic 2011-12 campaign came to an end on Saturday against the Providence College Friars in the Women's Hockey East Quarterfinals, 6-0. The Black Bears finish the season with an overall record of 17-11-6 and a conference record of 11-8-2. The Friars improve to 15-16-4 overall while their conference record remains at 11-8-2. Danielle Ward (Lansing, Mich.) and Brittany Dougherty (Chesterfield, Mich.) each fired eight shots on the day.

The first period started with solid play from both teams. Brittany Ott (St. Clair Shores, Mich.) came up big early in the first at 17:32 with a big breakaway save to prevent the Friars from taking the lead. Ott came up with another big save just a few minutes when Friar Beth Hanrahan skated down the left side and set a good angle towards the goal. She tried to beat Ott high on her glove sides, however was denied by the Maine netminder. Late in the first period with 25 seconds remaining, Providence broke the tie when Ashley Cottrell was able to beat Brittany Ott, giving the Friars a 1-0 lead. Jessica Cohen fed Cottrell the puck on the play for the assist. Providence extended their lead to 2-0 with one second remaining in the first on a power play goal by Jessica Vella. She was assisted by Laura Veharanta and Corinne Buie on the play.  At the end of the first period, Providence held a 2-0 lead.

Brittany Dougherty (Chesterfield, Mich.) nearly scored the first goal for Maine early in the second period after she accelerated and gunned it past the Providence defense, however Providence's Genevieve Lacasse stopped Dougherty's shot. Providence snared their third goal of the game when Abby Gauthier received the puck at the blue line and skated in to score the goal. Providence extended their lead to 4-0 after a goal from Haley Frade at 12:19. Both Abby Gauthier and Jessica Vella assisted Frade on the play. Maine kept knocking on the Providence's door with shot after shot, however just could not connect. At the end of the second period, Providence remained ahead, 4-0.

Maine's offense kept the pressure on Genevieve Lacasse, out-shooting the Friars 8-3 through the first 10 minutes of play in the third period. Brittany Ott made big back-to-back saves in the third period. On the first save, she snared a rocket right out of the air with her glove to stop play. On the second save, Rebecca Morse fired a one-timer from just inside the blue line when Ott knocked it down. Providence scored their fifth goal of the game on a power play when Rebecca Morse found Haley Frade, who then found Laura Veharanta on a pass to the back door. Veharanta then found the back of the net on a one-timer. The goal came at 11:39 into the third period. Providence netted their sixth goal of the game with 1:16 remaining in the third period when Jessica Cohen netter a power play goal. She was assisted by Abby Gauthier and Beth Hanrahan on the play. At the end of 60 minutes of play, Providence would edge Maine, 6-0.

Brittany Ott came up with 24 big saves on the day on the 30 shots she faced. She was credited with the loss, placing her season record at 13-10-3. Genevieve Lacasse anchored the Friars between the pipes making 38 saves on the 38 shots she faced. Her record improves to 12-15-2. Maine was unable to connect on the power play, going 0-for-5 while Providence went 3-for-7 with the advantage.

The Friars will advance to the semi-final round next weekend in Hyannis, Mass. to face either Boston College or Northeastern.

-U-M-