Northeastern Wins Hockey East Championship

For the first time in program history, the Northeastern women’s ice hockey team won the Hockey East Championship, defeating Connecticut 2-1.

The game opened with Denisa Krizova creating a two-on-one up ice as she forced the puck off Emily Ried’s stick, sliding a pass across the slot to McKenna Brand, who then lifted a backhander over the shoulder of Annie Belanger. With her assist on that goal, Krizova earned her 24^th career Hockey East playoff point, tying her with Marie-Philip Poulin of Boston University for most in conference history.

Denisa pounces on a loose puck, and McKenna flies up the ice to receive the pass and loft the backhand over Belanger's shoulder for the early score!#HowlinHuskies | #GoNU pic.twitter.com/gRGxDYNY5m

— Northeastern Women’s Hockey (@GoNUwhockey) March 4, 2018

Not even a minute later, Natalie Snodgrass went to work in the Northeastern end of the ice. She battled off Maddie Hartman below the goal line and ripped a pass to Morgan Wabick, who then rifled it past Aerin Frankel at the 1:20 mark of the first period. That would end up being the only goal Frankel allowed, tallying 30 total saves in the game.

With two minutes left to go in the first period, Tori Sullivan won an offensive zone draw for Northeastern and slipped the puck back into open ice. McKenna Brand skated up to it and sniped a shot past Belanger for her second of the game. It would prove to be the game-winning goal as neither team would score in the following two periods.

Just like they drew it up...#HowlinHuskies | #GoNU pic.twitter.com/9HsgO8RV6k

— Northeastern Women’s Hockey (@GoNUwhockey) March 4, 2018

Northeastern became the second No. 4 seed ever to win the Hockey East Tournament, and will advance to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in school history, the first since 2016.

In addition to taking home the Bertagna Trophy, four Huskies were named to the All-Tournament Team: goaltender Frankel, defender Lauren Kelly, and forwards Brand and Krizova. Defender Kayla Mee and forward Natalie Snodgrass were UConn’s representatives on the All-Tournament Team.

Frankel also won Tournament MVP honors. Against Maine, she made 24 total saves including 15 in the third period alone; the freshman had 30 stops against the Huskies today. Frankel is the first freshman to win MVP honors since 2006.

BIG time kill by the #HowlinHuskies. Frankel with three stops during the PK, 14 in the game. pic.twitter.com/df2RaK5YRF

— Northeastern Women’s Hockey (@GoNUwhockey) March 4, 2018

Northeastern will learn where they are headed for the NCAA tournament at 9 p.m. tonight.