Saw some Women's Ice Hockey

So I was able to watch a Women's Ice Hockey game on campus today. UConn is usually a really good team, that has been nationally ranked a lot in the previous years. I don't understand why their attendance isn't better. The program is really good and most of the games that I have been to have been either UConn victories by a lot, UConn victories in good games, or just good games in general. I can't remember going to a game and not seeing UConn getting blown out.

UConn tied Dartmouth today. Michelle Binning and Amy Hollstein caught my attention. Hollstein managed to become the first player I've ever seen get tackled during an opposing teams goal celebration. As a matter of fact it looked like she was forced to join Dartmouth's celebration.

Hollstein would redeem herself with a well placed goal. I was impressed with her goal because it got right under the cross bar and the shot had a lot of pace on it. (ok I feel like I'm using soccer terminology with hockey and I hope that is ok)

Binning also had two goals in the game and she almost always scores when I am at games.

Rebecca Hewett is a defender who is really good on the team. She is number 18 in case you go. I've always thought that Monique Weber was good too. She almost had a really pretty goal today.

Two things about Women's Ice Hockey that impress me are the fact that they love to ride their bikes and that many of the players have a major that involves some sort of science.

One criticism I always here about Women's Ice Hockey, and to be honest many female sports, is that they aren't physical. There isn't any checking in women's ice hockey but the games are physical. The girls do battle for the puck by the boards. There is some hitting and physical contact involved. Players get shoved to the ice, it's not like the girls game is "hey why don't you take a shot and than we will skate to the other side and we'll let you take one." The game is physical and the girls compete. One UConn player had to be taken out of the game because of an injury.

Women's Soccer is also very physical, and WHEN you venture out to Morrone in 2010 you will see what I mean.

Women's Basketball is physical too, just watch the post players battle on the boards. I've had the privilege of sitting right under the basket at many women's games and I can promise you that every game is physical.

I also am going to make this prediction about UConn Women's Ice Hockey. Within 25 years we will have won a National Championship in the sport and will be considered one of the premier Women's Ice Hockey schools in the country. I say this because the sport in general is new. It isn't offered at many schools and the program has gotten really good really quickly. I expect that the program will continue to get better.