BOSTON — For the first time since March, Northeastern returned to the ice at Matthews Arena and cruised to a 4-0 exhibition game victory over the Durham West Jr. Lightning.
It was all Northeastern from puck drop, as the Huskies applied offensive pressure for 60 minutes and limited the Lightning to 14 shots. Furthermore, the game produced an opportunity for new faces to patrol the Northeastern cage after losing superstar goaltender Gwyneth Philips to graduation.
Head coach David Flint went to a trio of netminders in the contest’s three periods: senior Paige Taborski, sophomore Mattie Robitzer, and freshman Lisa Jönsson, with the latter two playing in their first collegiate hockey game.
Despite five Lightning power plays, the Husky goalkeepers silenced all threats and combined for 14 saves over three scoreless periods. In particular, Robitzer shined, saving seven shots in her 20 minutes on the ice that included three Northeastern penalty kills.
Assistant coach Melissa Piacentini offered her thoughts on the impressive showing from the three Northeastern goalies.
“I thought all three looked great,” she said. “They’re fighting for that [goalkeeper] spot, so they’re earning that time in practice. I thought this was a great opportunity for the three of them to showcase what they can bring to a game.”
Sophomore defender Rylie Jones began the scoring in the first period, with freshman Morgan Jackson and senior forward Skylar Irving picking up assists. Later in the period, great puck movement from forwards Ella Blackmore and Holly Abela supplied junior Lily Shannon a shooting lane to double the Husky lead.
Northeastern extended their lead in the second period thanks to Irving scoring on their first power play of the afternoon, assisted by defenders Tory Mariano and Jules Constantinople. The fourth and final goal of the contest manifested when Mia Langlois and Molly Griffin found junior Lily Brazis with an open shooting lane in the high slot, sailing the puck past Lightning netminder Darby Oaks.
Freshmen forwards Jackson and Éloïse Caron initiated efficient puck movement and facilitated the Northeastern offense, creating opportunities for the Huskies’ 29 shots on goal.
In both lines featuring Caron and Jackson, coach Flint offered the freshmen veteran presences, with the senior pair of Irving and team captain Taze Thompson centering Caron and Jackson, respectively.
“It was exciting for them to get in and get that college experience,” Piacentini said of the freshmen seeing their first game action. “Obviously, we’re playing a younger team, but for them to be surrounded by their teammates and learn from them on the ice and bench is the next step that they’ve taken since practice.”
Along with a good first impression from Jönsson, Caron, and Jackson, the Northeastern defense led multiple offensive attacks and kept the puck in the Lightning zone for many of the Durham West power plays.
“We always like to play as a unit of five. I think if our defense can make that jump in the offensive zone, it’s always going to help us,” Piacentini said. “We saw it with Rylie’s [Jones] goal. We are able to get in there and take it home. Anytime we can attack with five, that’s the goal.”
The Huskies are back in action for the first official game of the season on Thursday, Sept. 26, at Penn State. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m., and WRBB will provide written coverage of the contest.