Women’s Hockey Splits Polar Bear Weekend

The Middlebury women’s hockey team battled the Bowdoin Polar Bears in a fierce NESCAC double header on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 18 and 19. Saturday’s game began with a scoreless first period, though the Panthers had the shot advantage 11-6. In the second period, Middlebury opened scoring with just under five minutes off the clock. Sophomore Ellie Barney tipped a shot from junior defenseman Anna Zumwinkle behind the Bowdoin goalie for her second goal of the season. The Polar Bears evened the score as Angelina Joyce took a shot from her own rebound and sent it past junior goaltender Lin Han. The goal ended a scoreless streak for the Middlebury defense that had lasted 155:58. In the third period, Middlebury scored early, less than two minutes in, as sophomore Morgan Griffin forced a turnover in the offensive zone and sent the puck to the back of the Bowdoin net. First-year Jenna Letterie added the insurance goal 10 minutes later with a tap in off another Zumwinkle shot.

On Sunday, an unbeaten streak of nine games ended for the Panthers as an overtime goal lifted Bowdoin to victory. Once again, the first period ended with zeros on the scoreboard, despite Middlebury sending some tough shots toward Bowdoin goalie Kerri St. Denis. Middlebury held the shots advantage 13-3 as the second period opened, but the Polar Bears scored first. Taking advantage of a power play opportunity, Bowdoin’s Miranda Bell sent a shot past sophomore Anna Goldstein. Middlebury tied the game up with 2:48 remaining in the second. Sophomore Madie Leidt sent a breakaway pass from the Panthers’ blue line up to Letterie, who rifled a shot top-shelf over St. Denis’ shoulder. The third period was also scoreless, though a point-blank shot from Middlebury’s Katherine Jackson ’19 was denied by St. Denis with just under four minutes remaining. In overtime, Bowdoin had the only two shots and scored with only 32 seconds remaining to secure the win. Bell sent a puck into traffic in front of the net that rebounded and got past Goldstein. Middlebury had the distinct shot advantage at 38-14, but Bowdoin’s St. Denis stood tall all game and only let one through.

Middlebury’s next challenge comes in a two-game home set against Hamilton on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 25 and 26. The Panthers, ranked first in the NESCAC, should expect a fight against the Continentals, who rank second and have won their past two games.

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