Princeton University Athletics
Spending New Year's in New Hampshire
December 28, 2004 | Women's Ice Hockey
Dec. 28, 2004
Princeton, N.J. - The 10th-ranked Princeton women's hockey team (9-4-2; 3-3-1 ECACHL) will open up 2005 with a New Year's Day contest at No. 5 New Hampshire (12-3-1; 6-0 Hockey East). The game opens up a challenging month of January for the Tigers as all five of Princeton's games in the month will be away from home.
Saturday's game is Princeton's final non-conference game of the 2004-05 season. The Tigers have played eight non-league games so far and are 6-1-1 in those games. By conference, Princeton is 5-0-1 against Hockey East and 1-1 against College Hockey America. The Tigers are 3-3-1 in ECAC Hockey League games and will play their final 13 games against league opponents.
Many of those league games will be away from the friendly confines of Baker Rink. Princeton opened the season playing nine of its first 13 games at home. Conversely, 12 of the Tigers' final 16 games will be on the road.
Princeton last played on the weekend of Dec. 11 and 12 on the road at Hockey East opponents, Northeastern and Boston College. On Saturday, Princeton had its strongest offensive day of the season, scoring six goals for the 6-2 win over the Huskies. Princeton's top line of sophomores Laura Watt, Liz Keady and Kim Pearce all recorded three points in the win, including a hat trick from Keady. The following day, the Tigers were forced to play catch up. After spotting Boston College a 2-0 lead after two periods, Princeton scored twice in the third and scored the game-winner with 11 seconds left in overtime to defeat the Eagles 3-2. Pearce scored twice in the win, including the overtime goal. Junior goaltender Roxanne Gaudiel was in the net for both wins.
Princeton continues the trend of playing Hockey East opponents on the road Saturday at New Hampshire. The Wildcats are the league's first-place team with a 12-3-1 overall record and a 6-0 mark in the league. With that strong record, New Hampshire has climbed to fifth in the polls.
Princeton and UNH have met 42 times with the Wildcats holding a decisive edge of 37-4-1. New Hampshire is unbeaten at home in the series that dates back to 1981. Princeton last defeated New Hampshire on Dec. 8, 2001 by the score of 1-0 in overtime at Baker Rink. The Tigers have dropped the three meetings since, including a 3-0 loss last season at home.
Princeton and New Hampshire have played eight common opponents and have faired similarly. Princeton is 7-3 in those games and UNH is 9-2 in them.
Princeton New Hampshire
Boston Coll. W, 3-2 (ot) W, 6-1
Brown W, 3-2 W, 2-1
Connecticut W, 3-1; W, 2-0 W, 4-0; W, 5-2
Dartmouth L, 0-3 L, 3-4
Harvard L, 2-3 W, 2-1
Mercyhurst L, 0-3; W, 1-0 L, 0-4
Northeastern W, 6-3 W, 8-0; W, 7-1; W, 5-2
Vermont W, 4-1 W, 5-0
Following Saturday's game, Princeton continues its schedule the following weekend at No. 8 St. Lawrence and Clarkson. Last season St. Lawrence swept the Tigers. Saturday's game at Clarkson will mark the first game between the two opponents since 1983, as Clarkson is a first-year member of the ECACHL.