W. Hockey Hosts No. 3 UMD for Two-Game Set

After two disappointing losses to No. 1 Minnesota and No. 4 Wisconsin last weekend, the No. 5 Harvard women’s hockey team needs to step up their level of play if they want to come out victorious from this weekend’s series against No. 3 Minnesota Duluth (9-2-1).

“It was obviously a tough loss in both games last weekend but we learned a lot about ourselves, about our potential and about the kind of teams we are going to have to beat to achieve our goals this year” said tri-captain and forward Nicole Corriero. “We have a much better sense about the kind of game we have to play to be successful.”

To that end, Harvard coach Katey Stone is making a number of adjustments with the lines in the hopes that shifting players will jump start the team.

“Coach has done some different line combinations this week to try out some different things,” Corriero said. “And while it is not necessarily for the Bulldogs, coming off of the wake of last weekend coach felt that there were some changes that needed to be made.”

One of Harvard’s most versatile players, junior tri-captain Julie Chu—who can attack on the offense end and shore up the defensive line on special teams—will remain on the first line with Jennifer Raimondi at center and Jennifer Sifers at the other wing.

Freshman phenom Sarah Vaillancourt will play center between Corriero and forward Katie Johnston on what looks to be an explosive second line.

Stone rounds out the line shifts by reuniting third linemates Liza Solley, senior tri-captain Kat Sweet and junior Carrie Schroyer—a potent check line last season for the Crimson.

The fourth line will remain the same as it has the past couple of games.

The Crimson hopes these changes make the necessary changes that kept Harvard one step behind its opponents in each of the losses in the Harvard Shootout.

Last Friday the Crimson (6-3-1) played a tough game but fell to the Badgers 6-4. Saturday’s game didn’t do much to lift their spirits either as they lost to Minnesota 5-3, despite having stepped up their game from Friday.

“We played well [against Minnesota] but we are looking to improve on that effort,” said head coach Katey Stone.

Harvard plans to definitely step up their play for this series and bounce back from their losses. But Stone has decided not to make any major strategic changes to the Crimson’s style of play to help mix things up.

”The focus this weekend is about our team executing our game plan and playing to our ability,” Stone said. “We have all the tools in the tool box and we just have to make sure that they are sharp on game day.”

The Crimson and UMD are two teams who seem to be matched up fairly evenly. Both teams have very strong offensive and defensive lines as well as solid goalkeepers. But while Harvard is very confident in the strength and depth of all three of their lines, the Bulldogs tend to rely more heavily on a few key players to make things happen for them.

Those few power players could prove to be an important force that will be hard to match even by the likes of the Crimson’s own power player, Corriero.

Corriero currently stands third in the nation in points per game with an average of 2.70, but both the number four and fifth spots belong to UMD players: Caroline Ouellette and Noemie Marin, who average 2.58 and 2.40 points per game, respectfully.

“[The Bulldogs] have some key players on their team and they play well as a team,” Stone said. “There are a lot of good things happening for them so it should be a great match up.”

But these aggressive forwards aren’t going to be the only players doing battle on the ice as both the Harvard and UMD goalies have proved to be superior in their field.

The Crimson’s goalie sophomore Ali Boe has proven herself to be a crucial part of this Harvard team with her 2.33 goals against average—good enough for twelfth in the nation. But she ends up falling behind the Bulldogs’ goalie Riitta Schaublin who is ranked fifth with a 1.43 goals against average.

“Their goalkeeper is definitely playing better than anticipated,” Stone said.

The rivalry with the three-time national champion Bulldogs is traditionally a big draw. Two years ago, during the 2002-2003 season, Harvard and UMD faced off in the Frozen Four Championship game, but it was UMD who ended up walking away victorious with a score of 4-3 in double overtime.

“A lot of people remember the loss a couple of years a go in the National Championship,” Corriero said. “We are hoping that will bring people out and into the stands.”

“We love the fans and love crazy college kids,” Stone said. “It’s wonderful when the kids can play in a really electric atmosphere.”

And that “electric atmosphere” could be what tips the scales for this Crimson team devoted to the best.