# 2011–12 Hockey East women's season

The 2011–12 Hockey East women's ice hockey season marked the continuation of the annual tradition of competitive ice hockey among Hockey East members.

## Exhibition
### CIS Exhibition

| Date | NCAA school | CIS school | Score | NCAA goal scorers |
| Oct. 1 | Vermont | McGill | McGill, 3-2 | Delia McNally, Meghan Huertas |

## Regular season
### News and notes
#### October

* In her Boston University Terriers debut on September 30, 2011, Isabel Menard logged three assists against North Dakota. The following day (also against North Dakota), Menard scored her first goal as a Terrier.

#### November

* November 3: The Vermont Catamounts won their first ever game at New Hampshire by a 4-1 tally at the Whittemore Center. Catamounts goalie Roxanne Douville made 33 saves, while freshman Amanda Pelkey notched a goal and an assist.
* November 18: Minnesota skater Amanda Kessel registered 5 points as the Golden Gophers defeated the New Hampshire Wildcats by an 11-0 tally. New Hampshire starting goalie Jenn Gilligan made 27 saves but allowed eight goals in two periods. She was replaced by Moe Bradley in the third period. Bradley stopped 11 of 14 shots as the Wildcats suffered their worst loss in the 35 year history of the program.
* November 26: New Hampshire Wildcats player Nicole Gifford scored the first hat trick of her career as the Wildcats defeated the Princeton Tigers by a 3-1 mark. The Wildcats improved to 38-5-2 lifetime against Princeton.

#### December

* December 22: In recognition of the ten-year anniversary of the Women's Hockey East Association, the Friars announced their Providence Hockey East All-Decade Team. Six forwards, five defenders and two goalies were honored.
| Player | Position | Class of: |
| Jenn Butsch | Forward | 2003 |
| Ashley Payton | Forward | 2006 |
| Darlene Stephenson | Forward | 2004 |
| Karen Thatcher | Forward | 2006 |
| Sonny Watrous | Forward | 2007 |
| Rush Zimmerman | Forward | 2005 |
| Kristen Gigliotti | Defense | 2007 |
| Kelli Halcisak | Defense | 2004 |
| Erin Normore | Defense | 2009 |
| Meredith Roth | Defense | 2004 |
| Kathleen Smith | Defense | 2008 |
| Jana Bugden | Goaltender | 2007 |
| Genevieve Lacasse | Goaltender | 2012 |

#### January

* January 10: The Dartmouth Big Green and Providence Friars played each other in an outdoor game at Fenway Park in Boston. Providence skater Brooke Simpson scored her first career NCAA goal. With 1:14 remaining in regulation, Big Green forward Camille Dumais scored the game-winning goal on Providence netminder Genevieve Lacasse as the Big Green prevailed by a 3-2 mark.
* January 22: Maine hosted Providence College for the Sixth Annual Hockey East Skating Strides Against Breast Cancer event. The Black Bears bested the Friars in an overtime finish by a 3-2 mark. Maine improved to 13-8-6 on the season and 7-6-2 in Hockey East play. Maine goals were scored by Brianne Kilgour, Brittany Dougherty and Danielle Ward. Mary Dempsey from the Patrick Dempsey Cancer Center participated in the ceremonial puck drop. Commemorative game jerseys with pink color were auctioned off after the game. In addition, the team participated in an autograph session in which all fans received a signed team photo.
* January 25: Kerrin Sperry recorded her first shutout of the season as she logged 30 saves. In addition, Isabel Menard logged the 100th point of her NCAA career as the Terriers prevailed over the rival Boston College Eagles by a 6-0 tally.
* January 29: The Huskies participated in the annual Hockey East Skating Strides game at the Freitas Ice Forum. Against the Providence Friars, the Huskies were defeated by a 5-2 mark. With the loss, the Huskies fell to 3-18-7 overall. The Huskies ended up being swept in the season series. In a pre-game ceremony, UConn presented Hockey East Associate Commissioner Kathy Winters with a donation of $10,000, representing the Friends of Mel Foundation. Of note, the Huskies set a program-record for funds raised in the Skating Strides event.

#### February

* February 11: Before the match against the Eagles, Connecticut announced the Connecticut Hockey East All-Decade Team (in commemoration of Hockey East’s 10th Anniversary). The forwards named included: Jennifer Chaisson, Jaclyn Hawkins and Tiffany Owens. The honored defenders included Cristin Allen and Natalie Vibert. Kaitlyn Shain was named All-Decade goaltender.
* February 17: Northeastern ended their 13 year Beanpot championship drought when Casey Pickett scored the game-winning goal in overtime past Boston University goaltender Kerrin Sperry. The Huskies prevailed by a 4-3 tally with the other Huskies goals scored by Kendall Coyne, Lucie Povova, and Sonia St. Martin. Huskies goaltender Florence Schelling made a season best 43 saves to claim her 17th win of the season.

### Standings

2011–12 Hockey East Association standingsvte :
| | Conference | Conference | Conference | Conference | Conference | Conference | Conference | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall |
| | GP | W | L | T | PTS | GF | GA | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA |
| #4 Boston College | 16 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 24 | 41 | 29 | 28 | 18 | 7 | 3 | 76 | 55 |
| #7 Northeastern | 16 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 24 | 52 | 23 | 28 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 88 | 42 |
| Boston University | 16 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 18 | 46 | 38 | 28 | 15 | 12 | 1 | 78 | 74 |
| Providence | 16 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 17 | 47 | 36 | 29 | 11 | 15 | 3 | 74 | 70 |
| Maine | 15 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 16 | 42 | 37 | 27 | 13 | 8 | 6 | 81 | 65 |
| New Hampshire | 15 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 10 | 27 | 51 | 28 | 10 | 15 | 3 | 62 | 100 |
| Vermont | 15 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 26 | 50 | 26 | 4 | 16 | 6 | 47 | 95 |
| Connecticut | 15 | 2 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 20 | 37 | 28 | 3 | 18 | 7 | 42 | 81 |
| Championship: To Be Determined † indicates conference regular season champion * indicates conference tournament champion National rankings: Conference rankings: Updated February 2nd, 2012 |||||||||||||||
*Rankings based on number of points in the conference

### In-season honors
#### Players of the week

| Week | Player of the week |
| September 26 | Danielle Ward, Maine |
| October 3 | Jenn Wakefield, Boston University |
| October 10 | Jenn Wakefield, Boston University Danielle Ward, Maine |
| October 17 | Casey Pickett, Northeastern and Taylor Wasylk, Boston College (tie) |
| October 24 | Emily Field, Boston College |
| October 31 | Brittany Dougherty, Maine |
| November 7 | Laura Veharanta, Providence |
| November 14 | Casey Pickett, Northeastern |
| November 21 | Kayla Tutino, Boston University |
| November 28 | Nicole Anderson, Providence Dru Burns, Boston College) |
| December 5 | Kendall Coyne, Northeastern |
| December 12 | Alex Carpenter, Boston College |
| January 9 | Mary Restuccia, Boston College |
| January 16 | Kristina Lavoie, New Hampshire |
| January 23 | Jenn Wakefield, Boston University |
| January 30 | Kristina Lavoie, New Hampshire Kristin Sperry, Boston University |
| February 6 | Ashley Cottrell, Providence |
| February 13 | |
| February 20 | |
| February 27 | Jenn Wakefield, Boston University |

#### Defensive players of the week

| Week | Player of the week |
| September 26 | Melissa Gagnon, Maine |
| October 3 | Kerrin Sperry, Boston University |
| October 10 | Florence Schelling, Northeastern |
| October 17 | Jenn Gilligan, New Hampshire |
| October 24 | Nicole Paniccia, Connecticut |
| October 31 | Brittany Ott, Maine |
| November 7 | Florence Schelling, Northeastern Kerrin Sperry, Boston University (tie) |
| November 14 | Florence Schelling, Northeastern |
| November 21 | Corinne Boyles, Boston College |
| November 28 | Brittany Ott, Maine |
| December 5 | Corinne Boyles, Boston College Florence Schelling, Northeastern (tie) |
| December 12 | Florence Schelling, Northeastern |
| January 9 | Nina Riley, Providence |
| January 16 | Brittany Ott, Maine |
| January 23 | Kendall Coyne, Northeastern |
| January 30 | Genevieve Lacasse, Providence |
| February 6 | Florence Schelling, Northeastern |
| February 13 | |
| February 20 | |
| February 27 | Genevieve Lacasse, Providence |

#### Rookies of the week

| Week | Player of the week |
| September 26 | Jennifer More, Maine |
| October 3 | Heather Kashman, New Hampshire |
| October 10 | Alex Carpenter, Boston College |
| October 17 | Kayla Tutino, Boston University |
| October 24 | Beth Hanrahan, Providence Lucie Povova, Northeastern |
| October 31 | Kendall Coyne, Northeastern |
| November 7 | Amanda Pelkey, Vermont |
| November 14 | Tori Pasquariello, Maine |
| November 21 | Emily Snodgrass, Connecticut |
| November 28 | Kendall Coyne, Northeastern |
| December 5 | Kayla Campero, Connecticut |
| December 12 | Jenna Lascelle, New Hampshire |
| January 9 | Kayla Tutino, Boston University |
| January 16 | Jennifer More, Maine |
| January 23 | Brittany Ott, Maine Florence Schelling, Northeastern |
| January 30 | Amanda Pelkey, Vermont |
| February 6 | Emily Snodgrass, Connecticut |
| February 13 | |
| February 20 | |
| February 27 | Kayla Tutino, Boston University |

#### Team of the week

| Week | Player of the week |
| September 26 | Maine Black Bears |
| October 3 | New Hampshire Wildcats |
| October 10 | Maine Black Bears |
| October 10 | Boston College Eagles |
| October 17 | |
| October 24 | Boston College Eagles |
| October 31 | Maine Black Bears |
| November 7 | Providence Friars |
| November 14 | Providence Friars |
| November 21 | Boston College Eagles |
| November 28 | Maine Black Bears |
| December 5 | Northeastern Huskies |
| December 12 | |
| January 9 | Boston University Terriers |
| January 16 | Maine Black Bears |
| January 23 | Northeastern Huskies |
| January 30 | Boston University Terriers |
| February 6 | Providence Friars |
| February 13 | |
| February 20 | |
| February 27 | Boston University Terriers |

### Monthly awards
#### Player of the month

| Month | Player of the month |
| October 2011 | Jennifer Wakefield, Boston University |
| November 2011 | Kendall Coyne, Northeastern |
| December 2011 | Kendall Coyne, Northeastern |
| January 2012 | Jennifer Wakefield, Boston University |
| February 2012 | |

#### Goaltender of the month

| Month | Player of the month |
| October 2011 | Florence Schelling, Northeastern |
| November 2011 | Corinne Boyles, Boston College |
| December 2011 | Corinne Boyles, Boston College |
| January 2012 | Brittany Ott, Maine |
| February 2012 | |

#### Rookie of the month

| Month | Player of the month |
| October 2011 | Alex Carpenter, Boston College |
| November 2011 | Tori Pasquariello, Maine |
| December 2011 | Alex Carpenter, Boston College |
| January 2012 | Kendall Coyne, Northeastern |
| February 2012 | |

## Hockey East tournament

| Round | Date | Teams | Arena |
| Quarterfinals | Feb. 25 | No. 5 Maine at No. 4 Providence College | Schneider Arena, Providence, R.I. |
| Quarterfinals | Feb. 26 | No. 6 New Hampshire at No. 3 Boston University | Walter Brown Arena, Boston, Mass. |
| Semifinals | Mar. 3 | Providence vs. No. 1 Northeastern | Kennedy Rink, Hyannis Youth and Community Center |
| Semifinals | Mar. 3 | Boston University vs. No. 2 Boston College | Kennedy Rink, Hyannis Youth and Community Center |
| Finals | Mar. 4 | Boston University vs. Providence | Kennedy Rink, Hyannis Youth and Community Center |

## Hockey East 10th Anniversary Team

On February 29, 2012, Hockey East named its 10th Anniversary Team, along with a group of Honorable Mention players.
| Position | Player | HEA school | Final season |
| Goalie | Chanda Gunn | Northeastern | 2004 |
| Goalie | Molly Schaus | Boston College | 2011 |
| Defense | Cristin Allen | Connecticut | 2010 |
| Defense | Kacey Bellamy | New Hampshire | 2009 |
| Defense | Martine Garland | New Hampshire | 2008 |
| Defense | Kelly Halcisak | Providence | 2004 |
| Forward | Sam Haber | New Hampshire | 2009 |
| Forward | Kelly Paton | New Hampshire | 2010 |
| Forward | Kelli Stack | Boston College | 2011 |
| Forward | Karen Thatcher | Providence | 2006 |
| Forward | Jennifer Wakefield | Boston University | 2012 |

### Honorable mention

| Position | Player | HEA school | Final season |
| Goalie | Florence Schelling | Northeastern | 2012 |
| Defense | Courtney Birchard | New Hampshire | 2011 |
| Defense | Kristin Gigliotti | Providence | 2007 |
| Defense | Maggie Taverna | Boston College | 2009 |
| Defense | Tara Watchorn | Boston University | 2012 |
| Forward | Jaclyn Hawkins | Connecticut | 2008 |
| Forward | Jenn Hitchcock | New Hampshire | 2008 |
| Forward | Allie Thunstrom | Boston College | 2010 |

## End-of-season awards

* Best Defender, Kasey Boucher, BU
* Gladiator Best Defensive Forward: Casey Pickett, Northeastern
* Sportsmanship Award: Ashely Cottrell, PC
* Turfer Athletic Award, Kelly Wallace, Northeastern
* Scoring Champion, Jenn Wakefield, BU
* Goaltending Champion, Florence Schelling (1.27 GAA, .956 %), Northeastern

### WHEA All-Rookie Team

* Forward: Alex Carpenter, BC (unanimous choice)
* Forward: Kendall Coyne, Northeastern (unanimous choice)
* Forward: Emily Field, BC
* Forward:Amanda Pelkey, Vermont
* Forward: Kayla Tutino, BU
* Defense:Emily Pfalzer, BC (unanimous choice)