by D.F. Pendrys
HAMDEN, CT – In an exhibition contest Thursday afternoon, the Team Korea (South Korea) Women’s Hockey Team visited the Quinnipiac Bobcats. The eventual Olympic host team fell to the Bobcats 3-2 in an exciting game for those on hand. The Bobcats put 55 shots on Team Korea and former New York Riveters goaltender So Jung Shin, and she made 52 saves to keep her squad in the game against a relentless QU offense. Korea scored a goal on both QU goaltenders Allison Small and Abbie Ives who split time in the game though they only put up 16 shots total. Small saved 10 of them, and Ives saved 4.
Quinnipiac put 16 shots on Shin in the first, but she took care of them all, and the 5 Korea shots also did not find the back of the net. In the second period things really took off, as although QU sent 21 shots on net and Korea only 8, both teams left the period with 2 goals apiece.
Korea’s Ji Yeon Cho took advantage of a scrum in front of the QU net to knock it past Small at 4:02 assisted by Jong Ah Park.
QU Co-Captain Melissa Samoskevich responded a little over 3 minutes later, taking advantage of a chaotic scene in front of the opposing goal and launching it over Shin into the net assisted by Allison Roethke and Kenzie Lancaster.
The Bobcats took the lead at 17:21 when Kenzie Prater put in a rebound during a fight for the puck right in front of Shin. An assist went to Samoskevich who sent the original shot on net.
Korea responded within 15 seconds, when after a quick movement past the ice, a chance was created and Susie Jo knocked it past Ives as the Bobcats were caught somewhat off guard.
Renne Saltness picked up the game winner at 4:12 in the third. An initial QU attempt ended up in the goal area under Shin. She couldn’t find it and in the scramble, it popped out and Saltness skated over and flicked it over a sprawled Shin. An assist went to Taylor House.
Kenzie Lancaster led QU with 9 shots and she was incredibly active offensively throughout the game trying to put various offensive efforts together. It was surprising she didn’t get a goal on the day. Samoskevich had 7 shots, Sarah-Eve Coutu Godbout had 6, and House had 5 as offense came from all over in the game.
For Team Korea, Chae Lin Park and Jong Ah Park had 3 shots each, and shots came from a variety of other players.
Korea blocked 22 shots with Su Yeon Eom, and Hee Won Kim each having 4 blocks apiece. Jin Gyu Lee, Se Lin Kim, Ye Eun Park, and Chae Lin Park had 2 each.
QU had only 7 blocks though as noted Korea had only 16 shots on net. Alicia Barry had 2 blocks, Kati Tabin, Olivia Konigson, and Kenzie Prater had 1 apiece. Konigson made her first appearance for the Bobcats tonight.
The game was an interesting one. Quinnipiac had the clear advantage in being able to move the puck often, enter the Korea zone seemingly at will, and generally have few opposing threats to deal with. The Bobcats also had a size advantage which they utilized to great effect. Korea was unable to do anything with the two power plays they were given and struggled on the penalty kill to clear the zone, though Quinnipiac didn’t score either so that got the job done. Korea showed some rough spots, in terms of bad turnovers, and missed passes. They did however use their strengths to make it a close game. Backed by Shin, and their blocked shots they were able to disrupt Quinnipiac enough. Team Korea also used their speed to take advantage of the opportunities they were granted.
It has also been an unfortunate theme for the Bobcats this season that they have generated a large number of shots but not found the net as much as they would like.
Quinnipiac returns to regular season action v. Yale on January 2nd. Korea will face the NWHL’s Connecticut Whale, Saturday at Ingalls Rink at Yale.
Coach Cassandra Turner Presser:
Melissa Samoskevich Presser:
Renee Saltness Presser:
(Noticed plays will be uploaded if time allows.)
There was also a shootout just for kicks. Kati Tabin had the only goal of it.
