DURHAM, N.H. - Six different players accounted for six goals in the University of New Hampshire women's hockey team's convincing 6-1 win over Ontario Hockey Academy in an exhibition game Saturday afternoon at Whittemore Center. Overall, 13 New Hampshire players factored in scoring on the day.
OHA got the scoring going with an even-strength tally at 2:20 of the first. Catherine Dubois fought for a loose puck in front of the net after a Pamela Psihogios shot sailed wide of the net and bounced out in front. Lauren Kirwan also assisted on the tally. The shot would be one of just three in the frame for OHA. The Wildcats responded with a pair of goals to head into the break with a 2-1 lead. The first came on a nifty play by Hanna Armstrong (Aurora, Ontario) at 3:59 with helpers from Maggie Hunt (Naperville, Ill.) and Kristine Horn (Utica, Mich.). Armstrong gathered the puck from behind the net and made a fast move to backhand the puck past Marie-Soleiel Deschenes in the short-side of the OHA net. The second goal came at 13:24 from Katie Kleinendorst (North Andover, Mass.) with assists from Paige Goloubef (Oakville, Ontario) and Catherine Broderick (Marblehead, Mass.). Kleinendorst lit the lamp off the rebound of a Goloubef one-timer. UNH held a commanding 21-3 shot edge in the frame.
New Hampshire added to its lead with a pair of second period goals. Hunt scored 8:04 with assists from Kristina Lavoie (Fonthill, Ontario) and Jenna Lascelle (Cornwall, Ontario). Hunt scored on a wrister from the right slot. At 11:01 of the frame, both teams substituted goaltenders with Alexane Rodrigue relieving Deschenes and Lindsey Minton (Richardson, Texas) spelling Jenn Gilligan (Maple Ridge, British Columbia). The fourth goal came at 12:36 as Emma Clark (East Barre, Vt.) carried the puck across the front of the net and shoveled in a backhander before Rodrigue could move across the goal front. Kayla Mork (Victoria, Minn.) was credited with an assist on the tally.
UNH struck just 1:14 into the final frame as Heather Kashman (Edmonton, Alberta) scored with an assist from Armstrong. The 'Cats closed out scoring with a power play goal at 17:09 of the third. Nicole Gifford (Peterborough, Ontario) potted the finishing tally with assists from Arielle O'Neill (St. Catharines, Ontario) and Lascelle. UNH held OHA without a shot with a 14-0 edge in the final period.
Overall, UNH held a commanding 57-5 shot advantage. OHA was 0-2 on the power play, while New Hampshire was 1-8 in its extra-skater opportunities.
Gilligan played the first 31:01 turning way three of the four shots she faced, while Minton stopped the only shot she faced in 28:59. Deschenes allowed three goals and stopped 31 shots in 31:01, while Rodrigue allowed three and turned aside 20 in 28:59.
UNH opens the 2011-12 regular season next weekend (Sept. 30 - Oct. 1) at Niagara. The Wildcats' home opener is Oct. 7 (7 p.m.) against Colgate. For tickets and more women's hockey news log on to www.UNHWildcats.com.