Wenczkowski’s OT Strike Lifts ‘Cats Past Warriors

Saturday, December 1

North Andover, Mass.

4 PM

University of New Hampshire

Merrimack

Taylor Wenczkowski has scored six points in the last three games. (Photo by Helene Bartsch)

Photo by: Helene Bartsch

12/1/2018 7:24:00 PM | Women's Ice Hockey

Box Score

The Wildcats extend their unbeaten streak to five games.

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Tied 3-3 in overtime at Lawler Rink in North Andover, Mass., University of New Hampshire junior Taylor Wenczkowski (Rochester, N.H.) scored on a rebound just 28 seconds into the extra period, as the Wildcats women's hockey team won its third game in a row, taking down Merrimack 4-3.

Wenczkowski also assisted on the Wildcats' opening goal by Meghara McManus (Milton, Mass.) which tied the game 12:42 into the game. That goal was the first of three unanswered goals for New Hampshire, with two quick tallies in the second by juniors Nicole Dunbar (Coto de Caza, Calif.) and Carlee Turner (Scottsdale, Ariz.).

Senior captain goaltender Kyra Smith (Littleton, Colo.) stopped 32 of Merrimack's 35 shots for her third straight victory on the year. Smith has backstopped the 'Cats to their five-game unbeaten streak (4-0-1) and her record is now even at 4-4-1 on the year.

The Wildcats have a quick turnaround, facing intra-state rival Dartmouth on Tuesday evening at 7 P.M. They return home next Saturday, December 8 at 2 P.M. to host Harvard. Tickets for that game are available at UNHWildcats.com or by calling (603) 862-4000.

GAME INFORMATION:
Date: Dec. 1, 2018
Location: Lawler Rink – North Andover, Mass.
Attendance: 324
Score: UNH 4 (5-9-3, 4-8-1 WHEA) Merrimack 3 (10-5-2, 6-5-1 WHEA)

Goals:
UNH (4) – Meghara McManus, Nicole Dunbar (PP), Carlee Turner, Taylor Wenczkowski (GW)
MER (3) – Katelyn Rae, Megan Fergusson (2) (PP)

Assists:
UNH (5) – Taylor Wenczkowski, Nicole Dunbar, Emily Rickwood, Tori Howran (GW), Marie-Jo Pelletier (GW)
MER (5) – Gabby Jones, Pagie Voight, Julia Maclean, Courtney Maud, Felila Manu

Goaltenders:
UNH – Kyra Smith – 9-9-14-0 – 32 (3 GA) {60:28} (W)
MER – Samantha Ridgewell – 6-7-8-0 – 21 (4 GA) {60:28} (L)

GAME RECAP

Merrimack would strike first 5:15 into the first period off breakaway by Katelyn Rae, assisted by Gabby Jones, to give Merrimack a 1-0 lead.
12 minutes into the period, the Wildcats seemed to lose the puck in their offensive zone but Taylor Wenczkowski picked off the puck at the near-side boards, skated to the point, and fired a shot that was saved by Ridgewell, but the rebound found Meghara McManus who saw the opening and tucked it in for the equalizer.
The second period began with a penalty kill for UNH left over from the first period; after killing off the ensuing 4-on-4 Nicole Dunbar struck just seconds into the power play and just 1:00 into the second period as she picked up the loose puck in the neutral zone and fired a shot to the five-hole of Ridgewell. Though she made the initial save the puck dribbled through the crease behind her and across the goal line.
Just 23 seconds later, another turnover was picked up by Carlee Turner, who skated into the offensive zone and fired a shot top-shelf left side past Ridgewell to increase the Wildcat lead to 3-1.
The Warriors answered right back 5:20 into the period with a power play goal of their own, this one by Fergusson, to cut the lead to one. Fergusson was able to redirect a pass in front of the crease just past the defense.
The high-scoring game would slow down with no goals being scored for the remainder of the second and not until halfway through the third, when Merrimack tied the game with another goal from Fergusson, this one a breakaway shot that went top shelf.
In overtime, the Warriors immediately entered their offensive zone and fired off two shots that went wide and blocked. The Wildcats took possession and also fired a shot that was blocked, but the rebound found Wenczkowski, who buried it for the walk-off victory.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

The win was UNH's first win also came on December 1^st. Last season, the Wildcats defeated the Northeastern Huskies at the Whittemore Center by a score of 2-1 on that date (12/1/17).
- Three straight wins is also the longest win streak of the year for UNH.
The Wildcats are now unbeaten in their last five games. This rivals their run last January, from the 14^th to the 27^th, which was also a 4-0-1 record. The Wildcats finished that run 4-0-2.
Taylor Wenczkowski is now on a three game, six-point streak, which ties the longest point streak of the year for UNH. With two points, she has now tallied at least two points in the last three games.
Tori Howran (Bancroft, Ontario) and Marie-Jo Pelletier (Dalhousie, New Brunswick) are now also on three-game point streaks.
New Hampshire is 8-2-1 all-time when playing Merrimack.

PENALTIES
UNH: 4-8 MER: 3-6

POWER PLAYS
UNH: 1-3 MER: 1-4

NEW HAMPSHIRE LEADERS:
Points (2): Taylor Wenczkowski, Nicole Dunbar
Goals (1): Four players
Assists (1): Five players
Shots (4): Three players
Faceoffs (12): Lauren Martin

MERRIMACK LEADERS:
Points (2): Megan Fergusson
Goals (2): Megan Fergusson
Assists (1): Five players
Shots (5): Jessica Bonfe
Faceoffs (17): Megan Fergusson