Feb. 21, 2003

#8 Providence College Friars (19-6-6/11-1-1 ): The Providence College women's ice hockey team hosts HOCKEY EAST foe fifth-ranked New Hampshire on Saturday, February 22 at 2:00 p.m. Providence is coming off a two-game sweep of Quinnipiac as the Friars defeated the Bobcats, 4-1 and 7-1. In the first game, played in Northford, Conn., the Friars got goals from junior forward Darlene Stephenson (Virden, Manitoba), sophomore forward Rush Zimmerman (Grosse Pointe, Mich.), senior forward Danielle Culgin (Framingham, Mass.), and junior defenseman Kelli Halcisak (Grosse Ile, Mich.). Sophomore goaltender Amy Thomas (Austin, Texas) made seven saves for the victory. The second game, played at Providence, produced the Friars' first hat trick since the 2000-01 season. Senior forward Jenn Butsch (Berlin, Vt.) scored the three goals, earning her the hat trick, while junior goaltender Amy Quinlan (Baton Rouge, La.) made 16 saves for her second victory this season. The Friars continue to be offensively led by Zimmerman who has compiled 35 points on 18 goals and 17 assists. She is followed by Butsch with 32 points and Halcisak with 31 points. Freshman goaltender Jana Bugden (Corner Brook, Newfoundland) has a 15-5-5 record on the season with a .925 save percentage and five shutouts. With a victory over New Hampshire, Providence will put themselves in good position for the top-seed at the upcoming HOCKEY EAST Tournament. The two teams have played twice this season, with each team winning once. The Friars shutout the Wildcats, 3-0, last time the two teams met in Schneider Arena on February 1.

#5 University of New Hampshire Wildcats (23-5-2 / 11-1-0): The Wildcats visit eighth-ranked Providence in a crucial HOCKEY EAST matchup. The Wildcats will be looking to win their fourth-consecutive game after defeating Niagara, 7-1, on Friday, February 14. In that game, New Hampshire was led by sophomore forward Stephanie Jones' (Kimberley, B.C.) who had three goals and two assists. She is now tied for the team lead in points (29) with senior forward Chandy Kaip (Radville, Sask.). Leading the Wildcats in goals is junior forward Carolyn Gordon (Petrolia, Ont.) with 17, while junior defenseman Kristen Thomas (Wilmington, Mass.) is leading the team in assists with 21. Senior goaltender Jen Huggon (Plymouth, Mass.) has a 23-5-2 record on the season with a .933 save percentage and 12 shutouts. New Hampshire and Providence have met 98 times with the Wildcats owing a 57-32-9 all-time record over the Friars.