ACC blanks Vermont, improves to 2-0
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The Assiniboine Community College Cougars women’s hockey team improved to 2-0 in Pool C play at the American College Hockey Association Division 2 national championship on Friday afternoon with a 5-0 win over the Vermont Catamounts (1-1) in Marlborough, Mass.
While it was the second straight shutout for the Cougars — they cruised to a 10-0 victory over the Michigan State Spartans (1-1) — the game played out a lot differently.
Despite holding a 3-0 advantage after the first period, Cougars head coach Tony Bertone felt like his squad was a little bit nervous in the opening 20 minutes.
Assiniboine Community College Cougars forward Emmalie Thompson celebrates after scoring on a penalty shot during the second period of her team's 5-0 win over the Vermont Catamounts on Friday afternoon at the American College Hockey Association Division 2 national championship. (Photo Courtesy ACC Athletics)
“We had a bit of a regroup there during the intermission and we played Cougars hockey in the second and third periods,” Bertone said.
“We still had some work to do out there as we took a few too many penalties, but we started playing more like a team instead of trying to do things as individuals in the first period,” Cougars goaltender Megan Beswitherick added.
Beswitherick played a key role in her team’s performance as she stopped all 14 shots she faced and helped the Cougars keep the Catamounts from scoring on all five of their power-play chances.
“My mindset was that if they were going to score on us, it wasn’t going to be while we were on the penalty kill,” Beswitherick said.
“The girls did a great job in front of me today. Geneva (Penner) and I wouldn’t be able to have shutouts if it wasn’t for the job our team does in blocking shots and making sure that the other team’s opportunities are kept to the outside.”
Simone Turner led the way on offence for the Cougars with two goals and an assist.
Emmalie Thompson scored a shorthanded marker and converted a penalty shot in the second period. Emma Ramsey also found the back of the net and Kathryn Fischer dished out a pair of helpers.
Jeny Collins made 28 stops for the Catamounts.
The Cougars conclude their Pool C slate this morning at 11:45 against the Adrian College (Mich.) Bulldogs, who dropped to 0-2 after a 4-1 loss to the Spartans on Friday.
“If we can get off to a good start, that really sets the stage and the pace of the rest of the game for our opponents,” Bertone said. “We’re going to try and take control of the face-offs and get pucks in deep, as that allows us to use our forecheck to our advantage.”
A win in that game will assure ACC of a spot in Sunday’s semifinal at noon against the winner of Pool A, which is up for grabs between the Northeastern Huskies, Navy Midshipmen and North Dakota State Bison.
The championship game is set for 9:30 a.m. Monday.
ICINGS: The Dakota College at Bottineau Ladyjacks got goals from Waywayseecappo’s Trinity Tanner and Cypress River’s Jayden Carels on Friday as they improved to 2-0 in Pool B play with a 3-0 win over the Niagara Purple Eagles. Tanner also scored on Thursday in the team’s 5-1 victory over the Central Michigan Chippewas.
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