Photo courtesy: Gil Talbot Photography
Complete
Game Notes (PDF)
Live Statistics (at
Dartmouth)
Live
Video (at Dartmouth - USCHO.com Game of the Week)
Live
Statistics (vs. Providence)
Live
Video (vs. Providence - with subscription)
ECAC Hockey Standings
Ivy League Standings
Purchase
Women's Beanpot Tickets!
The Particulars
The seventh-ranked Harvard women's hockey team continues the
stretch run as the team visits Dartmouth Friday afternoon before
hosting No. 9 Providence in a non-conference matchup Saturday
afternoon at Bright Hockey Center. The Crimson currently stands
third in the ECAC Hockey standings with a 8-5-2 record and 18
conference points. Friday's game at Dartmouth has been
designated as the USCHO.com Game of the Week.
Follow From Home
GoCrimson.com will provide live
statistics for this weekend's games, all home
games and most road contests this season. Live audio and video of Friday's
game will be available on USCHO.com. Live audio and
video for Saturday's contest will be available
at GoCrimson.com. Matt Sawyer and Glenn Conway will have the call
for Saturday's game.
Series History
Harvard and Dartmouth have played 73 times, with the Big Green
owning a 39-32-2 lead in the all-time series, which began in
1978-79. The Crimson has won five of the last six games against its
ECAC Hockey and Ivy League rival, including a 3-2 victory over the
Big Green at Bright Hockey Center earlier this season on Nov. 25.
Liza Ryabkina netted the game-winning goal with 3:25 remaining in
the game, while Christina Kessler picked up the victory with a
27-save effort.
Providence sports a 22-13-3 record against Harvard in 38 games,
but the Crimson is 6-0-1 in the last seven games between the
schools. The Crimson and Friars last played on Dec. 8, 2007, a 4-1
victory for Harvard in Providence, R.I. Sarah Vaillancourt
'08-09, Jenny Brine '09 and Liza Ryabkina each had a
goal and two assists to guide the offense, while Christina Kessler
stopped 17 shots for the win.
Last Time Out
After shutting out Union, 4-0, Friday, Laura Bellamy recorded a
career-high 27 saves in a 4-2 loss at the hands of Rensselaer
Saturday afternoon. Kate Buesser and Cori Bassett each netted a
goal for the Crimson.
Where's Your Beanpot?
Harvard will host the 2010 Beanpot at Bright Hockey Center. The
first round, featuring the Crimson vs. Boston College at 8 p.m. and
Boston University vs. Northeastern at 5 p.m. will take place Feb.
2, while the second round will be held Feb. 9. Harvard has won 12
Beanpots, while Northeastern has the lead with 14. Boston College
has three titles, and Boston University has won three of the
tournaments, which began in 1979.
Harvard Against Hockey East
Harvard owns a 1-0-1 record against teams from Hockey East this
season. The Crimson tied New Hampshire, 1-1, Nov. 18 and then
defeated Connecticut by a score of 2-1, Dec. 8. After facing the
Friars, Harvard will play at least two more Hockey East opponents
this season, as the Crimson will skate against Boston College in
the opening round of the Beanpot Feb. 2, and then will play either
Northeastern or Boston University in the second round Feb. 9.
Clean Sheets
With its 4-0 victory against Union Jan. 22, Harvard now has
recorded five shutouts this season. Laura Bellamy earned her first
career clean sheet against the Dutchwomen, making 13 saves. Four of
the Crimson's five shutouts have come at Bright Hockey
Center.
Christina Kessler has recorded 25 shutouts during her career at at
Harvard, a program record.
Crimson Leading The League
Kate Buesser has an ECAC Hockey-best 15 assists in league games
and stands second in points with 22. Rookie Jillian Dempsey
(8-10-18) ranks fourth in conference points among all players and
first among freshmen in the league. Defender Leanna Coskren, Cori
Bassett and Dempsey are tied for fifth with five power-play points
in ECAC Hockey contests. Coskren is also tied for first with three
game-winning goals during conference action. Bassett, meanwhile,
stands third in defenseman scoring with 11 points on four goals and
seven assists.
The World's Best
A trio of former Harvard standout skaters have been named to the
2010 U.S. Women's National Team, which will compete at the
2010 Vancouver Olympics. Angela Ruggiero '02-04, the Patty
Kazmaier recipient in 2004, Julie Chu '06-07, the winner of
the Patty Kazmaier trophy in 2007, and former All-American Caitlin
Cahow '07-08 were named to the American team. On Team Canada,
Harvard will be represented by two-time Patty Kazmaier Award winner
Jennifer Botterill '02-03, and Sarah Vaillancourt
'08-09, who was named the top women's college hockey
player in 2008. Overall, Harvard has had nine current and former
women's hockey players represent their countries in the
Olympics since 1996.
When The Game Is On The Line
Seven different Harvard players have scored a game-winning goal
this season -- Kaitlin Spurling, Liza Ryabkina, Jillian Dempsey,
Leanna Coskren, Anna McDonald, Cori Bassett and Kathryn Farni.
Coskren leads the team and ECAC Hockey with three game-winning
tallies, while Ryabkina has notched two this season.
Scoring In A Bunch
As a team, Harvard tanks second in ECAC Hockey with 3.20 goals per
game, having scored a league-best 48 tallies in 15 conference games
entering the weekend.
A Balanced Attack
The Crimson has had 13 different players score at least one goal
this year, as the team has netted a total of 46 goals. Sixteen
players have at least one point to their credit and Harvard had 15
different players light the lamp last season as well, scoring a
total of 95 goals.
Around The Ivy League
The Crimson is unbeaten in five straight games against Ivy League
opponents (3-0-2) after tying Cornell Jan. 15. The Crimson stands
at 3-2-2 against Ancient Eight opponents, good for third place in
the conference standings. Cornell remains in first with a 5-0-2 Ivy
League conference record.
License to Kill
The Crimson boasts the nation's ninth-best penalty kill
unit, stopping 68 of 77 opponent power plays (.883). Harvard also
has a shorthanded goal to its credit, coming off the stick of
Jillian Dempsey in a 4-0 win over Union Jan. 22.
Harvard Coach Katey Stone
Katey Stone is in her 16th season as the Landry Family Head Coach
for Harvard Women's Ice Hockey, and she brings a 329-141-26
(.690) record into Friday's game. Stone, who ranks second
all-time in Division I victories, has led Harvard to all seven of
its NCAA tournament appearances. Stone is also the active leader in
victories among Division I women's hockey coaches.
Stone is currently eight wins shy of tying the all-time Division I
record, held by Laura Halldorson (337 victories).
First Thing's First
The Crimson was 18-0-2 when scoring first and 1-10-1 when the
opponent lit the lamp first last season. So far in 2009-10, Harvard
is 8-1-2 when netting the game's first goal and 2-4-2 when
the opposition scores first.
It's All Over
Harvard is 102-1-5 since the start of the 2004-05 season when
leading after two periods. The Crimson is 8-0-1 in this category
this season.
Just Win, Christina!
Senior goaltender Christina Kessler is 64-16-6 (.779) in her
career in net, placing her first on Harvard's all-time goalie
wins, as she passed Ali Boe '06 with a 5-1 victory against
Colgate Jan. 16. Kessler currently holds the NCAA career record
with a .9413 save percentage, as she has stopped 1,863 of 1,979
shots faced during her career. Jessie Vetter (Wisconsin 2006-09)
owned a .941 save percentage to set the record (2,175 of 2,312,
.9407).
Welcome To The Show
Harvard freshmen have had the scoring touch this season, led by
Jillian Dempsey who is tied for the team with eight goals and is
second with 11 assists and 18 points. Kaitlin Spurling (4-3-7),
Josephine Pucci (2-5-7) have also been scoring threats.
Storied Program
With its 3-0 victory over St. Lawrence Nov. 7, Harvard earned the
500th victory in program history. The Crimson owns a 508-292-42
(.628)record over its storied 31-year history.
A Stone Wall
The Crimson earned back-to-back shutouts against Minnesota Dec.
4-5, marking the first time that the Golden Gopher were held
scoreless since Feb. 2, 2007. The Crimson had not recorded
consecutive shutouts since holding Cornell without a goal during
the ECAC Hockey quarterfinals Feb. 27-28, 2009.
To Be The Best ...
With its 4-4 tie against No. 10 Cornell Jan. 15, the Crimson
stands at 3-2-3 against ranked foes this year. Harvard was 2-6-1
against top 10 opponents last season. The Crimson will play No. 9
Providence Jan. 30.
Bright Spot
The Crimson was 9-4-2 record at Bright Hockey Center last season,
while posting a 9-5-1 mark on the road. In 13 games this season,
Harvard owns a 7-3-3 record on home ice, but is 3-2-1 in road
contests.
Red Lights
Harvard ranks fourth in the nation in scoring defense (1.53 goals
allowed per game), fifth in scoring margin (+1.21), 11 on the
penalty kill (68 of 77, .883), 15th in scoring offense (2.74 goals
scored per game) and 27th on the power play (11of 93, .118).
