Black Bears Ready for Showdown Against Holy Cross
The University of Maine women’s ice hockey team is set to host Holy Cross at Alfond Arena on January 3 at 6:00 PM. This matchup will be available for viewing on ESPN+, promising an exciting evening for fans and players alike as the Black Bears look to build on their recent success against ranked opponents.
Recent Performance
The Black Bears are riding high after a thrilling 3-2 upset over #15 ranked Brown University on Tuesday. Seven players contributed points in this showdown, marking a significant team effort. Noteworthy performances came from Isabelle Michaud, Sade Sandilands, and Ava Stevenson, each netting a goal. In addition, assists came from players such as Lila Shea and Lulu Rucinski, demonstrating the depth of the Black Bears’ roster.
Goaltender Madisyn Ryan made her second career start, securing her second career win after the team held a 3-0 lead through the first two periods. Late penalties allowed Brown to pull two goals back, leaving a room for improvement in discipline for the upcoming games.
Rookie Standouts
This season has seen the emergence of stellar performances from the team’s rookies. Michaud leads the team in both goals and points, with an impressive tally of 5 goals and 4 assists. Fellow first-year players Paige Fong and Rucinski follow closely with 8 points each—one goal and 7 assists for Fong and 2 goals and 6 assists for Rucinski. Additionally, Sandilands has already made her defensive prowess felt by leading the team with an impressive 35 blocked shots.
Overall Team Analysis
The recent victory over Brown represented Maine’s ninth encounter against a ranked team this season, showcasing the squad’s resilience and capability to compete at a high level. In just three and a half seasons under the leadership of Head Coach Molly Engstrom, the Black Bears have now achieved 12 wins against ranked teams, affirming their increasing stature within the Hockey East standings, where they currently sit in 8th place. Solid goaltending has also contributed to their success, with Kiia Lahtinen starting 18 out of 20 games, maintaining a commendable .922 save percentage.
Previous Encounters with Holy Cross
Scouting the Holy Cross Crusaders
Holy Cross has had a promising start to their season with a record of 14-6-1 and 6-5-1 in Hockey East play, bolstered by their recent sweep over Vermont. Notable performances include rookie Violett Carrol, who leads the Crusaders with a total of 19 points from 7 goals and 12 assists. As formidable competitors, Holy Cross also boasts the best penalty kill in the nation, operating at an impressive 93.3%. Currently, they are receiving votes in national polls, underscoring their growing influence in college hockey.
What’s Next for the Black Bears?
With momentum from their latest victory and the challenge posed by Holy Cross, the Black Bears are looking to establish consistency and further climb the Hockey East standings. As the teams clash on January 3, both sides will be eager to solidify their positions as they approach the midpoint of the season. The outcome will not only affect this season’s standings but will also set the tone for the rest of the campaign.
For more coverage on women’s ice hockey, visit BBC Sport or read more on Globally Pulse Sports.
