By Caroline Ingram, news staff

The Northeastern women’s hockey team battled with the Black Bears from the University of Maine, splitting a two-game series at Matthews Arena Nov. 18-19. First-year goalie Aerin Frankel dazzled in a 39-save shutout effort Nov. 18 to lead the Huskies to a 3-0 victory. However, it was a different story Nov. 19, as Maine halted the Huskies’ offense, shutting them out with a score of 2-0.

“This was a big game, especially since it’s a league game,” head coach Dave Flint said after the game. “[Maine] is a tough opponent for us, they’ve got a lot of skill and a great goalie.”

It was not the first time the two teams faced off this season, as Maine skated by Northeastern 4-2 Nov. 7 in Orono, Maine.

In the first of the two games, Frankel again got the start over third-year Brittany Bugalski and posted her second shutout in her third start of the season. Frankel stopped all 39 shots she faced, and the NU offense was up to the task, knocking home three goals to close out a solid all-around effort by the team.

First-year defenseman Skylar Fontaine opened up the scoring for the Huskies just under six minutes into the first period, firing a low shot from the point which was deflected in front for a power play score.

The second period was an even battle between the teams, with Frankel coming up with some big saves to preserve the NU lead. Then, five minutes into the third period, the lead was doubled when fourth-year forward McKenna Brand came up with a steal in the neutral zone, firing a wrist shot from the righthand boards which snuck inside the left post.

The win was secured with a final score, an empty net tally by third-year forward Taytum Clairmont with 25 seconds to go in the game.

In the Nov. 19 matchup, Frankel was again between the pipes as the Huskies were looking to extend their unbeaten streak to four games. However, Maine jumped out to an early year with a goal just over six minutes into the opening period.

The Black Bears cycled the puck low in the offensive end before first-year forward Michelle Weis fired a pass to fourth-year forward Brooke Stacey at the point, who, with plenty of room to shoot, fired a low shot. With lots of traffic in front of Frankel, she was unable to stay on her feet to stop the multiple rebound attempts by the Black Bears.

“I talked to [the team] at the end of the first period, how the coverage had to be closer man on man,” Flint said. “We were giving them too much space in our end.”

In the remaining minutes of the period, NU continued to try to create further offensive chances, but again were hurt by some defensive lapses. Frankel was forced to make some key big stops to keep NU in the game.

In the second, fourth-year forward Denisa Krizova almost scored a shorthanded goal with a rebound chance on her own shot. Moments later, Krizova again had a scoring opportunity as she split the defenders in center ice, firing a tough backhanded shot on goal.

Although the Huskies had plenty of chances, they were unable to convert on any of their opportunities. Flint expressed the team’s shortcomings in terms of banging home rebounds in front.

“It’s just about being strong on our sticks, and competing in the dirty areas,” Flint said. “Obviously, going into the year I didn’t think our issue was going to be scoring goals. Goals have been tough to come by for us, so when we get chances, it’s critical that we capitalize on those chances.”

Maine struck again with 7:28 left in the period, after Frankel was beat with a fake. The period came to a close with the Black Bears holding the two-goal advantage.

Throughout the third, the Huskies continued piling on the shots and chances, but second-year goalie Carly Jackson was up to the task in net for Maine.

“I thought we competed, but the execution was not all there tonight,” Flint said “It’s good to see that our penalty kill was working well tonight. But again, we need to focus on taking advantage of the opportunities we give ourselves in the offensive end.”

Ultimately, Jackson finished out the game stopping all 28 shots she faced. Going forward, Flint said the Huskies know they will have to be better.

“We have to focus on staying positive and staying the course,” Flint said. “Things haven’t been going as planned or as we would’ve liked, so we have to find a way to get out of this funk and get some consistency going. Of course, it doesn’t get any easier. We’ve got the number one team coming up. We’ve got to just keep plugging along.”