WORCESTER, Mass.- The Providence College women's hockey team defeated Holy Cross, 3-2, on Friday, Feb. 7, at Hart Center Rink in Worcester, Mass. The Friars improved to 17-9-3 on the season and 13-7-2 in Hockey East play, while Holy Cross fell to 8-17-3 overall and 4-15-3 in conference action. Hannah Johnson (Readfield, Maine) and Audrey Knapp (Stevens Point, Wis.) each notched their seventh multi-point game of the season.
SCORE
Holy Cross - 2 | Providence - 3
RECORDS
Holy Cross - 8-17-3 (4-15-3 HEAW) | Providence - 17-9-3 (13-7-2 HEAW)
VENUE
Hart Center Rink | Worcester, Mass.
GAME FLOW & NOTES
-Each team had three power-play opportunities in the first period. After Holy Cross' first penalty expired, the hosts found the back of the net to take a 1-0 lead. However, Providence successfully challenged the play for offsides, overturning the goal.
-A few minutes later, Providence took consecutive penalties, leading to a two-man disadvantage. Holy Cross capitalized, opening the scoring with a goal from Lulu Rourke, assisted by Charlotte Sonntag and Hannah Deck.
-The Friars were awarded the final power-play of the period with 1:17 remaining. Reichen Kirchmair (Oakville, Ontario) netted her first power-play goal of the season and 16th overall, tying the game 1-1 with 16-seconds left. Hannah Johnson (Readfield, Maine) and Audrey Knapp (Stevens Point, Wis.) each recorded assists. Johnson and Knapp extended their point streaks to five games.
- After a faceoff win from Johnson, Knapp fired a shot past Abby Hornung, giving Providence a 2-1 lead with her team-best 17th goal of the season (13th in conference play). With the assist, Johnson and Knapp each recorded their seventh multi-point games of the season, which is tied for the lead with team-lead with Kirchmair.
- Providence extended its lead to two goals when a wrist shot from Lily Martinson (Allen, Texas) found the back of the net, making it 3-1 just 4:50 into the third period. Ashley Clark (North Weymouth, Mass.) and Kiara Kraft (Churchville, N.Y.) picked up the assists.
- The teams remained scoreless through most of the third period until the Crusaders pulled Hornung for the extra attacker with three minutes remaining. With just 13-seconds left in regulation, Deck found the back of the net to make it a 3-2 game. Madison Michals and Mackenzie King picked up assists on the play.
- Hope Walinski (Lincoln, R.I.) recorded 16 saves for the Friars in the win.
- Providence improved to 10-0-0 when Johnson recorded an assist, 11-1-1 when leading after two periods and 15-1-0 when scoring three-or-more goals.
- The Friars improved to 21-0-1 all-time versus the Crusaders and completed a regular-season sweep with three regulation wins.
STAT COMPARISON
Providence - 3
Shots: 34
Face-offs: 20/53
Power plays: 1/4
Penalty Kill: 4/5
Holy Cross - 2
Shots: 18
Face-offs: 33/53
Power plays: 1/5
Penalty Kill: 3/4
PC GAME HIGHS
Shots on Goal: Becker, Martinson (5)
Blocks: Cavaliere (4)
Goals: Kirchmair, Knapp, Martinson (1)
Assists: Johnson (2)
Points: Johnson, Knapp (2)
UP NEXT
Providence will finish the weekend against Boston University at Walter Brown Arena in Boston, Mass. on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 4:00 p.m.
