STORRS, Conn. - The University of Connecticut women's ice hockey team was shutout by Providence, 5-0, in its annual Skating Strides game at the Freitas Ice Forum, Friday night.
The Friars (13-11-4, 7-6-2 Hockey East) scored their first of three goals in the opening frame at the 5:15 mark when sophomore Beth Hanrahan netted her 10th goal of the season. Just over two minutes later, PC scored on its first power play opportunity of the night as senior Jessica Vella tipped a high shot in the slot off the stick of junior defenseman Rebecca Morse.
Providence added to its lead with a shorthanded goal by junior Corinne Buie 15:33 into the first. Buie forced a turnover in the neutral zone and went in one-on-one for the score; her 12th of the year.
The two teams played even much of the second period until the Friars knocked in a second power play goal. At the 17:36 mark sophomore Haley Frade punched in her 11th goal of the season; the only blemish of the period for UConn freshman goaltender Elaine Chuli (Waterford, Ont.) who made 13 saves in the stanza.
Buie added a second goal of the night 2:57 into the third period, unassisted for the second time.
Chuli finished with 18 saves before being pulled for junior Sarah Moses (New Hamburg, Ont.). Moses stopped all eight shots that she saw in the third period.
The Huskies (3-21-3, 1-12-1) were outshot by the Friars 31-19. Connecticut posted 10 penalty minutes, while Providence had eight.
Prior to the opening face-off, UConn presented The Friends of Mel Foundation a check for $15,000 through the Skating Strides program.
The Huskies and Friars take to the ice again tomorrow night at 7:00 pm at Schneider Arena in Providence.