PROVIDENCE, RI — Northeastern’s offensive struggles prevailed once again in Friday night’s 2-1 loss to Providence at Schneider Arena. With only one game against Friars this weekend, as well as numerous series splits early in the season, this game held significance for Northeastern’s Hockey East ranking.
Although the Huskies had control of the offensive zone time, their shots and chances for the majority of the game lacked danger.
“We were a little bit too perimeter for our liking,” said assistant coach Lindsay Berman. “We talked about going to the net harder, just like whoever doesn’t have the puck we gotta have a presence there…I thought we did that better tonight than we did last weekend.”
On a few breakaway chances throughout the game, whether they were two on one or one on none with the goalie, Northeastern lacked quick decision making resulting in no goals on a handful of opportunities.
The two sides stayed closely contested through the first period, but the Friars broke through in the early second. Captain Hannah Johnson opened the scoring with a rebound goal that snuck past Northeastern goaltender Paige Taborski.
Play continued to stay even until the last three minutes of the period. Holy Cross forward Millie Sirum was assessed a five minute major and game misconduct for direct contact to the head. The Huskies were given a chance to even the score and took full advantage of it.
Freshman defender Tuva Kandell netted her first NCAA goal on the power play. She stepped into a powerful wrister that beat Providence netminder Hope Walinski short side hide, and evened the scoring. With the five minute major Northeastern continued on the power play until Husky defender Tory Mariano was called for interference.
The period would finish four-on-four and the third started the same for 69 seconds. Northeastern then went back on the advantage but it didn’t result in a goal.
“We can’t let them get frustrated about [the power play] because a lot of the looks are good,” Berman said.
Northeastern continued the pressure but a two-on one break away by the Friars, that resulted from a missed pinch by Kandell, led to Friars forward Sarah Davies redirecting home the eventual game-winning goal.
Although the Huskies didn’t walk away from Providence with the win, there are a few things to take away from the matchup. The third line of Lily Brazis, Morgan Jackson, and Katie Davis started to really gel on both ends of the ice.
“We thought that was our best line,” Berman said. “That’s why they earned more and more ice time, but we need that depth if our top line’s not going, and we didn’t think they were going that well tonight.”
As mentioned by Berman, the top line of Skylar Irving, Jaden Boden, and Eloise Caron struggled to create dangerous chances. Lily Shannon stepped into the second line center position bumping Taze Thomposon to left wing and Ella Blackmore off to the right. The line had flashes throughout the game and seemed to control the puck the best in the offensive zone, something to keep watch on as the season progresses.
Northeastern takes on UNH for a home and home series next weekend, November 1 and 2. Emma Sullivan will have the call Friday night from New Hampshire. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m.