March 15, 2003

#7 Providence College Friars (23-6-6) - The seventh ranked and top-seeded Providence College women's ice hockey team faces fifth-ranked and second-seeded New Hampshire in the HOCKEY EAST Tournament Championship Game. The Friars earned a spot in the title game by defeating Connecticut, 7-0, on Saturday, March 15. There were six different goal scorers with sophomore forward Hilary Greaves (Cranston, R.I.) leading the way with two. The Friars also got five assists from junior defenseman Kelli Halcisak (Grosse Ile, Mich.). In goal, freshman Jana Bugden made 26 saves to improve her record to 19-5-5 and earn her sixth shutout of the season. For the season, Providence has been led offensively by Halcisak who has a team high 44 points on 14 goals and 30 assists. Her 30 assists lead the Friars while sophomore forward Rush Zimmerman's (Grosse Pointe, Mich.) 20 goals is a team high. Providence will seek to capture a second consecutive league tournament championship having won last season's ECAC Eastern League Tournament. They will face a New Hampshire team who they have a 2-1-0 record against this season. The two victories came at home in Schneider Arena, while the loss was on the Wildcats' home ice.

#6 University of New Hampshire Wildcats (27-6-2) - The second-seeded Wildcats will face top-seeded Providence for the Inaugural Women's HOCKEY EAST Title. New Hampshire defeated Maine in the semi-final round, 2-0, to advance to the championship game. The Wildcats got goals from sophomore forward Stephanie Jones (Kimberley, B.C.) and junior forward Carolyn Gordon (Petrolia, Ont.). In goal, senior Jen Huggon (Plymouth, Mass.) made 15 saves to improve her record to 26-6-2 and earn her 14th shutout of the season. The New Hampshire offense is led by Jones who has team highs in goals (22) and points (37). Junior defenseman Allison Edgar (Bridgen, Ont.) and junior defenseman Kristen Thomas (Wilmington, Mass.) share the team lead in assists with 23 each.