STORRS, Conn. (Oct. 10, 2008) - Michelle Binning (Oshawa, Ont./Toronto Jr. Aeros Intermed. AA) scored a pair of power-play goals in the University of Connecticut women's ice hockey team's 4-1 win over Colgate. The Huskies scored three unanswered goals on Friday night in the final period for the win at Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum.
Binning scored to put the home team ahead early in the first period with her third power-play goal of the season at 3:32. Colgate responded with its own goal on the power play to tie the game (1-1) with less than four minutes remaining in the first period. Sam Hunt capitalized on one the Raider's four power-play opportunities in the first period at 16:21.
Rookie netminder Alexandra Garcia (Pointe-Claire, Que./Dawson College) stopped 12 shots in the first period as Colgate out shot UConn 13-5 in the first twenty minutes of play.
With the game still tied at a goal apiece, all was silent in the second period as neither team was able to score. The Huskies held a slight advantage in shots (7-6) in the second period.
During the final period of play, UConn pulled away with three unanswered goals. Binning scored her second of the night, another power-play goal, with assists from Cristin Allen (Pickering, Ont./Durham Lighting AA) and Nicole Tritter (Toronto, Ont./Toronto Jr. Aeros Intermed. AA).
Dominique Thibault (L'Original, Ont./Montreal Axion NWHL) scored fewer than two minutes later while the Huskies were still on the power play. Amy Hollstein (Pembroke, Mass./Lawrence Academy) had the assist. Hollstein finished the night with two assists, recording the first on Binning's first goal.
Before the midway point of the third period, Brittany Murphy (Tewksbury, Mass./Lawrence Academy) scored what would be the final goal of the game. Murphy's second of the year was the only goal scored at even strength during the game.
Garcia finished with 25 saves and earned the win in her start for the Huskies. Colgate's Lisa Plenderleith made 24 saves between the pipes.
UConn improves to 3-1 going into Saturday's game against No. 7 St. Lawrence. The Saints opened the season at Providence with a 3-1 victory over the Friars on Friday. The Huskies face off against St. Lawrence at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Freitas Ice Forum.
Game Notes
Michelle Binning leads the team with four power play goals this season, bringing her career total to seven. She has been responsible for two game-winning goals this season, including the game winner against the Raiders.
The Huskies have scored at least one power-play goal in each of their four games this season. UConn scored two on the power play in its season opener and scored three goals with the Raiders down a skater on Friday.
With an assist on Binning's second goal, Cristin Allen improved her team-best assist total to seven. She had a season-high three assists in UConn's 5-2 win at Minnesota State-Mankato (Oct. 4).