AROUND HOCKEY EAST: The Northeastern Huskies claimed the first Women's Hockey East Tournament title in school history with a 2-1 win over UConn on Sunday at Matthews Arena. McKenna Brand (Nevis, Minn.) scored two goals, including the fastest goal in WHEA championship game history just 28 seconds into the first period. Rookie netminder Aerin Frankel (Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.) was named MVP of the tournament, stopping 30 shots in the title game and 98 across her four outings, to backbone Northeastern to the championship ... The No. 4 Boston College Eagles (30-4-3, 19-2-3 HEA) earn a bid into the NCAA field for the 10th time in program history. Boston College was tripped up in the Women's Hockey East semifinals after claiming the top seed in the WHEA Tournament for the fifth straight season. This marks the eighth-straight appearance for Boston College in the national quarterfinals and the Eagles are undefeated when hosting the quarterfinal round, claiming victory in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017. Boston College has moved on to the Frozen Four on seven occasions, including each of the last three seasons, and appeared in the national title game in 2016 ... Northeastern (19-16-3, 11-11-2 HEA) earns just its second bid into the National Tournament after claiming the school's first ever Women's Hockey East Tournament title Sunday at Matthews Arena. The Huskies draw a road contest with No. 3 Colgate and will travel to face the team for the third time this season. Northeastern previously dropped each decision of a two-game road swing at Colgate, Oct. 14-15, 2017 ... The field is rounded out by No. 1 Clarkson hosting Mercyhurst and No. 2 Wisconsin welcoming Minnesota ... The NCAA quarterfinal round is set to begin on March 9 and the four winners advance to the 2018 Women's Frozen Four hosted by the University of Minnesota at the Ridder Arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota, March 16 & 18. Semifinal games will be played at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Friday, March 16. The championship game will be played at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 18. All three games can be seen live on the Big Ten Network.
Aerin Frankel (Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.) stopped 30 shots in the WHEA title game to deliver the first Bertagna Trophy in school history. She kicked out 98 of the 103 shots she faced in four games, earning tournament MVP honors for her performance. She lead the tournament in both goals against average (1.25) and save percentage (.951).
Natalie Snodgrass (Eagan, Minn.) had four goals in the Women's Hockey East Tournament, including two against Boston College in the semifinals. She assisted on UConn's only goal in the title contest and was named to the 2018 Women's Hockey East All-Tournament Team on Sunday.
Annie Belanger (Sherbrooke, Que.) stopped 62 shots in the WHEA semifinals and final, backboning UConn to a its third championship game in program history. On Friday evening, she was named to the All-Hockey East First Team and earned the BW Windjammer Goaltender of the Year Award.
HOCKEY EAST WEEKLY TOP PERFORMERS
Daryl Watts, BC (Fr., F; Toronto, Ont.) Named Hockey East Player and Rookie of the Year on Friday and opened the scoring in the WHEA semifinal contest with UConn.
Carly Jackson, ME (So., G; Amherst, N.S.) Stopped 25 shots in the WHEA semifinals for the Black Bears.
Kayla Mee, UConn (Jr., D; Winnipeg, Man.) Helped #7 UConn top Boston College and into the WHEA title game for the third time in program history. She had an assist in a 4-2 semifinal win over the Eagles and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Denisa Krizova, NU (Sr., F; Horni Cerekev, Czech Republic) Became the all-time career assists leader in WHEA Tournament play and tied the career record for tournament points with her one-goal, five-assist showing in four playoff games. She was named to the All-Tournament Team for her efforts.
McKenna Brand, NU (Sr., F; Nevis, Minn.) Scored both Huskies' goals in the 2018 WHEA Championship Game,
Lauren Kelly, NU (Sr., D; Watertown, Mass.) Named to the 2018 WHEA All-Tournament Team after anchoring a Northeastern defense that helped its team win three consecutive one-goal games to capture the WHEA Tournament title.