Jan. 27, 2007

Box Score

Providence, R.I. - The Friars cut New Hampshire's lead to 2-1 in the second period, but they were unable to complete the comeback effort. With the victory, New Hampshire improves to 18-3-3 and 10-1-0 in HOCKEY EAST PLAY. The Friars fell to 11-11-3 overall and 8-2-2 in HOCKEY EAST play with the loss.

New Hampshire jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first period of play. Jennifer Hitchcock (LaSalle, Ont.) got the Wildcats on the board at the 5:08 mark, as she took a pass from Micaela Long (S. Boston, Mass.) and beat Friar goaltender Jana Bugden (Corner Brook, Newfoundland). Leah Craig (Seaforth, Ont.) continued the Wildcat scoring at 17:28 scoring a power-play goal as the Friars were skating with two players in the box. The goal was assisted by Martine Garland (Toronto, Ont.).

The second period saw the Friars cut the Wildcat lead in half, as Katy Beach (Cleveland, Ohio) beat New Hampshire goaltender Melissa Bourdon (Ile Bizard, Que.). The goal was assisted by Jenna Keilch (Clinton Township, Mich.). But then New Hampshire added an insurance goal to close out the scoring with 4:55 remaining in the second period, as Long scored with assists from Steph Holmes (Rye, N.Y.) and Kelly Paton (Woodstock, Ont.).

In goal, Bugden stopped 24 shots for the Friars, while Bourdon finished with 19 saves for the Wildcats.

The Friars return to action tomorrow to finish the weekend series with New Hampshire. Sunday's contest will be held at the Whittemore Center in Durham, N.H. The game is scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. start.