Wildcats return to winning form, beat Bears 5-0

The UNH Wildcats and the Black Bears of Maine have always held an intense rivalry in all sports, but in women's hockey, the series has been very one-sided. The Wildcats held a 30-1-3 lifetime record against the Black Bears going into Sunday, and this game turned out to be more of the same as UNH beat Maine, 5-0, at the Whittemore Center.

There was no lack of offense from the Wildcats, as senior captain Kelly Paton had two goals and two assists, junior Raylen Dziengelewski had three assists, senior Micaela Long had a goal and two assists, and senior Kelly Cahill had a goal and assist.

UNH was dominant in the first period, holding Maine to only three shots on goal, while UNH had 13. Cahill scored on a power play with the assist from freshman Kristine Horn and Dziengelewski. The Wildcats continued their solid defense in the second period, allowing only three more shots on goal, as they shot 19, and Paton scored her first goal off assists from Dziengelewski and freshman Kailey Chappell. It was Chappell's first career assist.

The Wildcats broke open the game in the third period, with Long netting a score, Paton scoring her second goal, and freshman Bryanna Farris scoring her first career goal.  After the fifth goal, the Black Bears made a change in goalies from Candice Currier, who finished with 33 saves, to Brittany Ott.

UNH head coach Brian McCloskey was impressed with the play of his team and their control of the game.

"We moved the puck very well," said McCloskey. "Kelly Paton and Micaela Long were all over the ice, man up, man down, 5-on-5. Paton, Long, and [Courtney] Birchard have set the tone for our team."

McCloskey credits his team's offensive burst in the third period to the fatigue of Maine.

"We were moving the puck and made good decisions," said McCloskey.  "After playing two periods of defense, I think Maine lost their legs."

Paton thought that the stamina of the Wildcats served to be the deciding factor in the game. 

"Considering this was our second game this weekend, we had good energy," said Paton. "Maine's goalie played well, but we were able to get some pucks by her in the third period."

Junior Kayley Herman, who recorded her second shutout of the season, credited the defense for helping to make sure that the Black Bears did not get on the board.

"The defense played really solid for me," said Herman. "We as a team got it together."

The Wildcats' next game is Friday at Boston University at 7 p.m.