So the undefeated streak is over, ending at 17 games. It's sucks that Clarkson had to be the one to end it, but given that the Golden Knights are easily one of the five best teams in the country, it shouldn't be all that surprising.
Wellsy wasn't disappointed with the effort of the team, and neither was I. Clarkson is just a good team, and much like we saw with the men against Harvard, mistakes were capitalized on, and that was the difference.
What I liked about the game yesterday was the appearance of the wilder side of Chris Wells. Pulling the goalie with 11 minutes left in the third period yielded the Saints only goal, and he went full tilt hype man in the first period, jumping on the dasher with a stick trying to out-cheer the Clarkson pep band. It was vintage Wells, and exactly why one loss doesn't worry me at all.
The loss comes in the final game of 2016 for the women, who know enjoy a full month before starting up again with an exhibition against Carleton on January 4th. It was a hell of a first half, and ending on a loss seems almost unfair, but 15-1-2 with a month off has to feel good for a team that was picked to finish seventh in the preseason ECAC poll.
With the break comes an opportunity to review some of the better individual performances this team has had, and they're making my job difficult, because there's too damn many to do them all justice. I'll give it the old college try, beginning with MVP:
Wellsy wasn't disappointed with the effort of the team, and neither was I. Clarkson is just a good team, and much like we saw with the men against Harvard, mistakes were capitalized on, and that was the difference.
What I liked about the game yesterday was the appearance of the wilder side of Chris Wells. Pulling the goalie with 11 minutes left in the third period yielded the Saints only goal, and he went full tilt hype man in the first period, jumping on the dasher with a stick trying to out-cheer the Clarkson pep band. It was vintage Wells, and exactly why one loss doesn't worry me at all.
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| (Jack Lyons) |
With the break comes an opportunity to review some of the better individual performances this team has had, and they're making my job difficult, because there's too damn many to do them all justice. I'll give it the old college try, beginning with MVP:
MVP: Kennedy Marchment
I wanted to write in all three of the top line skaters, but decided to go with just one, and the case is strongest for Marchment. She has one of the strongest sticks on the team, plays in every situation, and has already matched her previous two season totals in points with 29, the same number she posted in each of her first two seasons. Held off the scoresheet for just the third time this season against Clarkson on Saturday, Marchment is tied for third nationally in scoring with Jesse Eldridge of Colgate. Linemate Brooke Webster is a point short, with 28, and Hannah Miller has 21 to her credit. That line has been unbelievable so far, and Marchment is leading the way offensively.
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| Marchment so rarely misses, it even surprises Bruce (Jack Lyons) |
Top Rookie: Kayla Vespa
Vespa is one third of the Saints "second" line, with Justine Reyes and Kayla Neilsen. She's a combination of grit, skill and speed that makes her the perfect for the system Chris Wells has implemented here. Nine points in 18 games puts her on a solid scoring pace for a rookie and her seven assists are fourth on the team. She should Saints fans confidence about the future of the offense, given that Brooke Webster is a senior, and both Marchment and Miller are juniors.
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| Kayla Vespa has played beyond her years so far at SLU (Jack Lyons) |
Unsung heroes: Nadine Edney and Kalie Grant
Watching these two play hockey is a blast. I don't think Kalie Grant has stopped skating since she got to campus. Her feet are constantly moving when she's on the ice, which means she's a pain in the ass to play against. She forechecks, she pokechecks, she'll go into corners, she's great on the penalty kill, and she's thrown in 6 points to boot. Throw in her status as a first year, and you've got a future captain.
Edney continues her quest to never record another assist. After picking up her lone helper of the season in the first game against Northeastern, she's collected the rest of her seven points on six straight goals, including a hat trick against Yale. However, it's her speed on the forecheck and penalty kill that makes her so important, and in concert with Grant, creates such a dynamic, yet not quite flashy, duo.
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| Kalie Grant's all-around game won't often make the SportsCenter Top 10, but it makes her valuable to the Saints |
So, 15-1-2 through 2016. Not too shabby. Take a deserved break, but not fans. Clarkson week is extended through next weekend, because the route 11 rivalry continues, with the men squaring off. SLU looks to maintain its hold on the top spot in the ECAC while Clarkson will be aiming for a rebound after a 7-3 loss to Harvard. I'll have that game for you.
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