DURHAM, N.H. - Nikki Harnett (Plymouth, Minn.) recorded 31 saves but the University of New Hampshire women's hockey team fell to the University of Maine, 2-1, at the Whittemore Center on Friday afternoon.
Charli Kettyle (Perth, Ontario) recorded her first career point as a Wildcat when she fired a pass from near the blue line that hit Jada Christian (Caledon East, Ontario) right on the tape in front of the net to tie the game, 1-1, at 9:34 of the first period.
Maine goalie Loryn Porter was credited with 21 saves.
The Wildcats (1-4-0 overall, 1-3-0 Hockey East) and Black Bears (2-1-0, 2-1-0) turn around and play again Dec. 12 (1:00 p.m.) at the Whittemore Center. The game will be streamed on CBS SportsLive.
First Period Summary
- Maine got on the board early at 1:07 on a loose puck in front of the crease, Amalie Andersen tapped the puck across the crease and it was finished by Liga Miljone over the glove of the goalie, off the crossbar and in the back of the net to give Maine a 1-0 lead.
- UNH evened the score 1-1 on a goal from Christian at 9:34. Kettyle's pass fired from the left point landed on Christian's tape at the right doorstep for a one-time past Porter's left leg pad. Ciara Wall (Hampton, N.H.) was credited with the secondary assist.
- Both UNH and Maine had a power play opportunity and could not capitalize.
- The shots were even at five.
Second Period Summary
- Maine scored the game-winning goal and took a 2-1 lead on a power-play goal from Ida Press at 4:01. A pass across the zone from Ida Kuoppala found Press in the left circle, where she fired a wrist shot that snuck past the inside short side before hitting off the far post and finding the back of the net.
- Harnett made consecutive acrobatic saves on Maine's next power play to keep the Wildcats within one goal, and she finished ths second stanza with 15 saves.
- Maine outshot UNH 17-6 in the second frame.
Third Period Summary
- UNH had three near scores in the first seven minutes to put the pressure on Maine, but nothing found the back of the net. Wall's shot from the left faceoff dot ricocheted off the far post at 3:00. Then with UNH on a power play, a one-timer from Lauren Martin (Cambridge, Ontario) in the slot was gloved by Porter at 6:50.
- With Harnett pulled in favor of an extra skater with 77 seconds remaining, UNH had another excellent scoring chance at top of the crease at 19:02 but Porter made another great save to preserve the lead.
- The Wildcats went 0-for-3 on the power play in the third period.
- The were even 11-11 in the 3rd period.
UNH Notebook
- Harnett racked up a season-high 31 saves, one short of her career high.
- Kettyle recorded her first career point as a Wildcat with the assist.
- Christian netted a goal for the second consecutive game and has three tallies on the season, which ranks second on the team.
- Wall tallied an assist for the second consecutive game and she has three helpers this season, which ranks second on the squad.
Series Notebook
- UNH leads the all-time series 42-16-8.
- UNH is now 0-3-1 in the last three meetings with Maine.
