No. 4 Northeastern carried its offensive momentum from Friday into Saturday, scoring eight goals to defeat RIT 8-1 and complete a weekend sweep of the Tigers. The Huskies outscored RIT 13-1 across the two games, continuing their strong start to the season with another convincing performance.
Northeastern’s offense took some time to get going Saturday, but once the Huskies found their rhythm, RIT struggled to keep pace. Eight Northeastern skaters recorded multi-point games, led by forwards Grace Sadura, Ivana Wey, and Éloïse Caron, who each finished with three points.
RIT initially threatened to take control of the game when Northeastern captain Kristina Allard was called for high-sticking five minutes into the opening period. The Tigers generated several chances on the power play, but Northeastern weathered the pressure and quickly shifted the momentum back in its favor.
Just over eight minutes into the period, sophomore forward Emy McDermid opened the scoring. McDermid fired from the slot, and the puck deflected off of RIT freshman goaltender Oceanne Thiffault’s glove before sailing over her shoulder and into the net to give Northeastern a 1-0 lead.
The Huskies then earned their first power play after RIT freshman forward Brynn Evans was called for body checking. Northeastern entered the game converting on just five percent of its power-play opportunities, but Wey helped the unit deliver an important goal.
With just over five minutes remaining in the first period, Wey sent a centering pass from near the right circle that deflected off an RIT defender and into the net. The goal doubled Northeastern’s lead and gave the Huskies an early boost on the power play.
Northeastern added another goal with over a minute left in the period. Caron drove toward the net, but lost the puck as two RIT defenders converged on her. The loose puck found sophomore forward Stryker Zablocki, who was left alone in front and beat Thiffault with the backhand to make it 3-0.
The Huskies outshot RIT 18-4 in the opening period, putting themselves firmly in control heading into the second frame.
Northeastern wasted little time extending its advantage. Just over five minutes in, senior forward Allie Lalonde sent a cross-ice pass into the slot, where Sadura finished with a one-timer to make it 4-0.
Caron added to the lead with an individual effort around the midway point of the period. Carrying the puck from her own defensive zone, Caron broke through the RIT defense on a breakaway and beat Thiffault with a backhand-to-forehand move to push the lead to five.
RIT responded by making a goaltending change, bringing sophomore Tahlia Vasseur into the game. The switch did little to slow the Huskies’ attack.
With five minutes remaining in the period, Sadura scored her second goal of the game, firing from above the left faceoff circle into the top right corner to make it 6-0.
Two minutes later, freshman forward Adéla Pánková added another after freshman defender Tess Martin sent a lead pass from the defensive zone to spring her on a breakaway. Pánková finished with a backhand for her first career goal, while sophomore goaltender Renna Trembecky recorded her first career point with an assist.
Northeastern carried a 7-0 lead into the third period after outshooting RIT 38-10 through 40 minutes.
The third period was more balanced, with both teams recording nine shots on goal. RIT also had two power-play opportunities and generated several chances, but Trembecky came up with multiple highlight-reel saves to preserve Northeastern’s shutout bid for the time being.
With just over six minutes remaining, Wey scored her second goal of the game. After Sadura’s initial attempt produced a rebound in the slot, Wey found the loose puck and put it away to extend the lead to 8-0.
Northeastern appeared poised to finish another game without allowing a goal, but a defensive- zone turnover by Zablocki with two minutes remaining gave RIT an opportunity. Junior forward Ireland Stein collected the puck in the slot and scored to make it 8-1, ending the shutout bid.
The Huskies will look to keep their offense rolling as they begin a lengthy stretch of conference play next week.
Northeastern returns to action Friday Oct. 30th for a matchup with Boston University. Armaan Vij, Daniel Ku, and Finbar Fitzpatrick will have the call on WRBB Sports.
Armaan Vij is the Editor-in-Chief for WRBB Sports. He has covered Northeastern hockey, baseball, and rowing both on-air and in print for the past three years. Read all his articles here.