Ice flew in Ingalls Rink yesterday as the women’s hockey team heartily trounced Brown 4-1. The high-energy two hours proved another strong showing for the Bulldogs following their Thanksgiving success against BU and in the Nutmeg Classic.
Head coach Hilary Witt entered play with due respect for Brown because the women’s league has a very even playing field, she said. Regardless, the Elis managed to take control of the game and kept offensive pressure throughout. Yale had 32 shots on goal compared to Brown’s 16.
Forward Crysti Howser ’09 scored the first goal for the Bulldogs 6:30 into the first period. Brown’s Sasha Van Muyen matched the shot four minutes later. Before the buzzer rang, Yale had captured a 2-1 lead with a power-play goal by defender Heather Grant ’12. Defenders Helen Resor ’09 and Samantha MacLean ’11 assisted.
Because she topped Brown’s score, captain and forward Sarah Tittman ’09 said she credits Grant with the game-winning goal. For the rest of the competition, the Elis continued to add to the boards, and Brown failed to answer with another point.
Forward Bray Ketchum ’11 added a third goal to the Bulldogs total in the second period. Forward Mandi Schwartz ’10 and defender Alyssa Clarke ’10 assisted the even-strength play. Throughout the period, Bear goalie Nicole Stock was kept busy by the Elis’ assaults: She managed 12 saves.
By the third period, Brown was showing signs of exhaustion, and Yale retained possession of the puck for the majority of the time. Ketchum added the final shot to the Eli total with an even-strength play assisted by Clarke.
Penalties were even for both teams — each received seven — but Yale spent more minutes in the box (22 minutes to 14). The penalties did not lead to a significant power-play advantage for either team. Each scored one point off their advantage. Brown, however, only managed to score off a power-play, and were unable to fend off the Bulldogs in even-matched competition.
The Elis’ control proved effective, and the game ended, 4-1. Goaltender Jackee Snikeris ’11 added another win to her impressive three-win week. Tonight proved the end of a ten day, four game stretch highlighted by Snikeris’ being named both ECAC Hockey Goalie of the Week and a recipient of the Belliveau Award at the Nutmeg Classic.
“You have to be confident with the puck,” Witt said. “It was an overall team effort. At times we played really well and it was a great win for us.”
Tittman and Clarke echoed their coaches’ remarks on the win. Overall, they agree, the team made the most of their offensive chances and used basic fundamentals to their advantage.
“We really connected our passes,” Clarke explained.
In the quick-paced play, the Elis’ fundamentals helped them remain in control of the puck. Because of Yale’s sharp passing and aggressive defense, the Bears rarely had the chance to set the pace of play.
“We controlled the puck,” Tittman added. “We converted on our chances.”
The end result, for Tittman, was no surprise. Going into the contest and despite the relative evenness of the ECAC league, Tittman said the Bulldogs “definitely thought we were the better team.”
The team will now take a break for exams and the holiday season, but hit the ice again on Dec. 30 to face Providence. The match will take place in Ingalls Rink at 3 p.m.