On Friday night, the UConn women’s ice hockey team was unable to take down their Connecticut rival in their exhibition game, losing to Quinnipiac 3-0.
Entering the matchup, Quinnipiac had won 12 out of their 23 games against UConn in previous seasons. The Bobcats are picked to finish fourth in the Eastern College Athletic Association whereas the Huskies are rated to finish first in the Hockey East Association Preseason Coaches’ Poll for the second year in a row.
Quinnipiac got on the scoreboard just 24 seconds into the game, thanks to junior forward Kahlen Lamarche, who was able to get past UConn graduate student goaltender Tia Chan. Lamarche’s goal was assisted by graduate student forward Laurence Frenette and sophomore defenseman Aynsley D’Ottavio. Frenette went on to net a goal of her own to close out the first period, sending the Huskies trailing by two to enter the second.
Both of these goals were scored on even strength despite Quinnipiac having two power play advantages throughout the first period. UConn freshman defenseman Camryn Grimley was handed a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, but Quinnipiac was unable to take advantage of the extra skater and did not score. Shortly after, UConn junior forward Livvy Dewar went to the box for a tripping penalty with six minutes left in the period, yet the team was unable to score on the Huskies.
In the first period, UConn outshot the Bobcats with 11 shots compared to Quinnipiac’s nine. Both teams were even with faceoff wins and UConn entered the second period looking to get momentum going and have more shooting attempts which they lacked in the first.
The second period was fairly quiet to start with both teams having a limited number of shots on goal. UConn had one power play attempt, when sophomore forward Bryn Prier got a hooking penalty. However, the Huskies’ lack of shots on goal not only during the power play but the entirety of the second period resulted in a scoreless 20 minutes for both teams.
UConn entered the third period needing to make changes to their game if they wanted to win. Not only did they need to attack the ice more, but they also needed to allow themselves the chance to score more goals by staying in Quinnipiac’s zone. Junior forward Julia Pellerin dominated the third period for the Huskies, contributing three shots on goal and significant ice time. The Boston College transfer is a player to watch out for this season as she led Hockey East last season in scoring.
Later in the third period, UConn freshman defenseman Grimley earned herself a second penalty of the night for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Bobcats took full advantage of this opportunity and attacked the ice right away. Senior defenseman Zoe Uens gave Quinnipiac a 3-0 lead, netting a goal past UConn junior goaltender Shannon Moran. The Huskies were unable to answer with a goal of their own, resulting in a shutout victory for the Bobcats.
UConn’s lack of offensive zone ice time and significant penalty minutes all contributed to their loss against Quinnipiac. Despite it being an exhibition game, UConn will need to fix some aspects of their game play in order to have a successful season including staying out of the penalty box.
Looking ahead, UConn’s 2025-2026 season officially begins this Friday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. It is also Hockey Night in Storrs where the first 250 people with get a free T-shirt. Tickets go on sale for UConn students Monday night at 10 p.m. If you are unable to attend in person, the game will be available to watch online on ESPN+.
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