Team Notes: Princeton Closes Out Home Slate with Union and RPI
PRINCETON - The Princeton women's hockey team plays its final home series of the regular season this weekend when Union and Rensselaer visit Hobey Baker Rink for an ECAC Hockey series. Princeton will recognize its senior class prior to Saturday's game and host a Skate with the Tigers event following the contest.
Princeton split on the road last weekend to remain in contention for a top-four league finish and home ice in the opening round of the ECAC playoffs. The Tigers currently sit tied for fifth in the league standings with Clarkson with 19 points. The pair is one point behind fourth-place Quinnipiac and three behind third-place Dartmouth with four games remaining on the league docket. Rensselaer sits seventh, one point behind the Princeton-Clarkson tie.
Princeton and Quinnipiac have identical remaining schedules, hosting Rensselaer and Union this weekend and visiting Brown and Yale next weekend. Dartmouth has games remaining with St. Lawrence, Clarkson, Cornell and Colgate, while Clarkson faces Harvard, Dartmouth, St. Lawrence, Rensselaer and Union. RPI will take on Princeton, Quinnipiac, Clarkson and St. Lawrence.
Princeton has split its last two league weekends following an eight-game win streak that took the Tigers from Dec. 4 through Jan. 28. In the span, Princeton went from seven games under .500 to a game over and has remained at or near the .500 mark since.
Last weekend the Tigers picked up a 3-2 win at 10th-ranked Harvard before suffering a 7-0 defeat at Dartmouth. In the win, Princeton led 1-0 but had to rally from a 2-1 second-period deficit to claim the win. Denna Laing scored the game winner and the other goals came from Corey Stearns and Charissa Stadnyk. A day later, it was all Dartmouth in the 7-0 win.
Princeton will look to remain in the race for home ice this weekend when it hosts Union and Rensselaer at Baker Rink. Princeton swept the pair in early November and will look to complete season sweeps of both teams.
The weekend begins on Friday night with Union visiting Baker Rink. The Dutchwomen are 2-25-3 overall and 1-15-2 in the league and enter the weekend off a 3-2 win over Brown last Saturday. Union's other win this season came over Sacred Heart and the Dutchwomen have league ties this season against Brown and Rensselaer.
Princeton is 15-0 all-time against Union and holds a 6-0 record in the series in games played at Hobey Baker Rink. Princeton took the first meeting this season between the teams 3-2 in overtime as the Tigers had to rally from 2-0 first period deficit to win. Stearns had a hand in all three Princeton goals, scoring the first two and setting up Sally Butler's overtime game-winner. Stearns' second goal came with the Princeton net empty in favor of an extra attacker.
Princeton concludes the weekend on Saturday afternoon against Rensselaer. The Engineers are 10-12-7 overall and 8-8-2 in league play and enter the weekend after gaining three of four points from Brown and Yale last weekend. RPI is 2-5-1 in its last eight games, but was 4-0-3 in the seven-game span that preceded that.
The Tigers lead the all-time series with RPI 5-4-2 overall but trail 2-3-1 in games played at Baker Rink. Princeton is unbeaten in three in the series, winning the first meeting this season 2-1 and tying both meetings last season. In this year's win, Princeton was staked to a two-goal lead on goals from Laing and Butler and withheld an RPI push to earn the one-goal win.
Princeton completes the regular season next weekend on the road at Brown and Yale and the ECAC quarterfinals take place the following weekend.
This weekend marks the final home regular season weekend for the three members of Princeton's senior class of 2011-Laura Martindale, Caroline Park and Sasha Sherry.
Below are Head Coach Jeff Kampersal's remarks that will appear in this weekend's game programs.
It is with great pride that I write to you, our families, friends, and fans about the remarkable Class of 2011. They are exceptional athletes, outstanding students, and most of all, leaders in every sense.
#7 Caroline Park - Parkie is a leader because of her relentless drive, and her mental and physical toughness. Her maturity and intelligence stabilize our locker room. Parkie also has amazing energy. Our players feed off her intensity and willingness to outwork others. During her career, her speed has given opponents fits. She pressures the puck all over the rink and makes smart hockey plays. Parkie has played hurt and persevered, which makes her a champion in my book. Parkie is a beloved teammate and a class act.
#9 Sasha Sherry - Over the course of her career, Sasha has emerged as an unspoken and compassionate team leader. The first All-America in PWIH history, Sasha has the explosiveness to dominate a game and the poise to control a game. This year Sasha has set the tone on and off the ice. Whether she is challenged to perform at a high level on the ice or merely asked to be an open ear for her teammates, Sasha has excelled at identifying team needs and fulfilling them. Sasha has been a terrific role-model for her teammates, coaches and the entire Princeton community. It's inspiring to see youth female hockey players wear the #9 jersey around Baker Rink.
#13 Laura Martindale - Marty has all the qualities of a celebrated defenseman - incredible toughness, courage, skillful decision-making and the best first passer we have had in the program. Since her freshman year, she has been our most consistent performer and undoubtedly one of the better defensemen to play at Princeton. She has a high hockey IQ. Over her career, "Old Reliable" has competed at a high level despite being held together by tape and ace bandages. As Captain, Marty has been a huge inspiration to her teammates and coaches.
Parkie, Sasha, and Marty will be sorely missed as hockey players, but even more importantly, as quality human beings. Ever since they were freshman, the Class of 2011 was a mature group. They think before they speak or act, a true sign of being wise beyond their years. We wish them the best in the future. I have no doubt that they will reach their goals, because they know how to work hard, they know how to lead, and they know what it takes to be a team player.
