CONNECTICUT PICKS UP 3-1 WIN OVER BOSTON COLLEGE
Junior Jennifer Chaisson posts goal and assists for Huskies

Jennifer Chaisson had a goal and an assist for UConn

STORRS, Conn. (Feb. 6, 2010) - The No. 8 University of Connecticut women's ice hockey team tied the program record for consecutive victories with a 3-1 win over Boston College on Saturday afternoon. Junior Jennifer Chaisson (Cumberland, Ont.) helped the Huskies make it nine-in-a-row this season with the Hockey East victory at Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum.

After a scoreless first period the Huskies erupted to score three goals in the second period. Senior Michelle Binning (Oshawa, Ont.) fed sophomore Monique Weber (Rogers, Minn.) the pass from behind the Eagle net to aid the Huskies to a 1-0 lead at 6:23. Weber scored her 12th of the season with a shot from the lane that went over top of Corinne Boyles.

Weber’s goal ended the Huskies' scoring drought against Boston College after having been able to score in either of the previous two meetings this season. UConn (18-6-5, 9-3-4-1) had not scored against Boston College since Dec. 4, 2008 in a 2-1 victory for the Huskies.

Almost exactly six minutes later, UConn struck again to increase its advantage over Boston College as junior Brittany Murphy (Tewksbury, Mass.) scored. It was Chaisson who brought the puck up along the boards to freshman Elisabeth Stathopulos (Toronto, Ont.) in the Boston College zone. Stathopulos made the pass to Murphy who put her fifth the season over the goal line.

Chaisson made it a three-goal period for the Huskies less than two minutes later with one of her own on the power play. She tipped a shot sophomore Sami Evelyn (Nepean, Ont.) sent from the blueline between Boyles legs at 14:11. Stathopulos earned her second assist of the night and 12th overall on Chaisson's ninth of the year.

Entering the final period of regulation up three goals over its Hockey East rival, the Huskies continued to dictate much of the play and deny the Eagles an opportunity to mount a comeback. Sophomore Alexandra Garcia (Pointe-Claire, Que.) made a glove save on a streaking Allie Thunstrom with less than 12 minutes on the clock.

Garcia finished the afternoon with 24 saves on the Eagles (5-15-9, 4-9-4-4), including three on Thunstrom who came in leading the league in goal scoring.

Much of the Eagles' initial power-play opportunity was spent in the neutral zone before an Eagle cross-checking penalty led to a four-on-four situation for almost a minute and a half. It was not until a pair of UConn tripping penalties led to a five-on-three situation that the Boston College was able to capitalize on.

Mary Restuccia score with assists from Caitlin Walsh and Kristina Brown to put the visitors on the board for the first time at 14:46 of the third period.

It would be the lone Eagle goal of the game with Garcia turning aside 11 shots in the third period alone. Boyles finished the game with 31 saves as the Huskies outshot Boston College 34-25.

UConn faces No. 4 New Hampshire for the third and final time this regular season at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum. The first 100 fans to arrive will receive a free t-shirt. Those unable to attend will be able to follow all of the action on WHUS radio.

Game Notes

- UConn head coach Heather Linstad needs one more victory to reach the career coaching milestone of 300.

- This is the first game in which the Huskies have scored three goals in a single period since Jan. 9 against Robert Morris.

- Sophomore Alexandra Garcia allowed her first goal in 227:28 minutes played after posting consecutive shutouts last weekend.