March 6, 2007

It was announced that Seniors Jana Bugden (Corner Brook, Newfoundland) and Kristin Gigliotti (Saquoit, N.Y.) were chosen to compete in the NCAA's Frozen Four Pontiac Skills Challenge. Gigliotti is one of six female skaters for the East squad, while Bugden is one of two female goalies for the East. The event will take place on April 6, during the Men's Frozen Four at the Scottrade Center in St. Loius, Mo.

Gigliotti, a First-Team HOCKEY EAST All-Star selection in 2007, finished the season with 17 goals and 22 assists for a career high 39 points. Her 17 goals rank as the most goals scored in the nation by a defenseman. For her efforts in the HOCKEY EAST Tournament, Gigliotti was named to the All-Tournament team. She was the only unanimous selection among the voters.

Bugden fished her outstanding Friar career with two of her best performances. She shut down the No. 8 ranked Eagles of Boston College on March 3 to help the Friars advance to the championship game. She made 33 stops in the win. Against No. 4 New Hampshire, Bugden made 34 saves in PC 3-1 loss. All told, Bugden made 67 saves for the Friars on her way to being named the HOCKEY EAST Tournament's MVP. She is the first player to earn the honor while playing for a losing team.

The skills challenge format consists of two competing teams, the East and West, made up of 12 skaters and 4 goalies on each side. Each squad has 6 male and 6 female skaters, as well as 2 male and 2 female goalies. The events Bugden and Gigliotti will be competing in include the puck control relay, fastest skater, rapid fire shooting, accuracy shooting, hardest shot, and penalty shot. Bugden and Gigliotti were chosen from an original list of 181 nominated student athletes.