In a sparse crowd of 415 people, “Jungle” blares throughout Kelley Rink, as it always does when an intermission ends for Boston College women’s hockey. There are groups distributed along the glass, but one stands out. There is a small section present for one player: Kristyn Capizzano. The women’s hockey team from her high school, Appleby College, came to cheer her on from Ontario. They chose a good game, too—Capizzano earned three assists in the 6-1 win against the University of New Hampshire (2-10-0, 2-6-0 Hockey East).
The Eagles (13-0-0, 7-0-0 HEA) hit their stride minutes into the first period, capitalizing on a power play to get ahead. BC bombarded the net, with Makenna Newkirk and Dana Trivigno shooting on UNH goalie Kyra Smith. The puck lost in a sea of sticks, Andie Anastos took a shot from the right pipe, finally making contact with the back of the net.
Shortly after the first goal, Capizzano began her hot streak when she passed to Haley Skarupa, who effortlessly nailed the shot past Smith’s left arm.
The Eagles, eager to rack up more goals, found another scoring opportunity within the first two minutes. After a deflection off Smith’s foot, Capizzano took the puck around the goal and into the right crease and attempted her own shot. It was too lateral to make it into the goal, but the puck eventually went in after a tap from Trivigno.
The Wildcats got on the board after Amy Boucher got the best of BC backup goalie Gabri Switaj. Despite the goal, Switaj performed well in her second game of the season, her first appearance in a month. Primary goalie Katie Burt often dominates the spot between the pipes, leaving few opportunities for Switaj to shine. “I figured it was a good time to give Katie a rest and also give Gabri an opportunity to step in and show what she’s got,” head coach Katie Crowley said. Switaj’s fellow Eagles supported the move, with the team surrounding her in goal before the game.
BC did not allow UNH to stage a comeback, though, as the Eagles forced two more goals at the end of the second period. After a pass from Capizzano, Toni Ann Miano moved the puck along to Skarupa, who slammed the shot. Skarupa, who tripped up as she tried to readjust, shot while falling to her knees, still netting a goal. Later, with 27 seconds left, Alex Carpenter fed the puck to Newkirk, who slapped it backward toward the goal, setting up a perfect shot for Carpenter.
Capizzano set up plays that put the Eagles far ahead of the Wildcats. She notched three assists, her game-high for this season. Capizzano and Skarupa proved a particularly lethal duo, demonstrating a chemistry that coaches kill for.
The Eagles bookended the game with a goal from the same three that started it all. After Trivigno launched the puck around the net, Newkirk passed again to Anastos, whose puck sailed past Smith for a dose of deja vu.
The level of play against UNH was old hat to Crowley—everyone, from Carpenter to Capizzano, Skarupa to Newkirk, must contribute, every game. “If Alex isn’t scoring three goals a game, then someone else needs to step up and put some pucks in, too,” Crowley said. “If Haley isn’t scoring three goals a game, same thing.” Fortunately for Crowley, this entire team is willing to step up.
Capizzano shined on just the right night, displaying what it takes to play on the No. 2 team in women’s hockey. “It’s nice for these young girls coming from high school to see what it’s like to play at the college level,” Capizzano said. She almost gave even more of a show, putting in her own goal against Smith. “I guess it bounced off the crossbar and out,” Capizzano said. “But it’s all good.”
Featured Image by Drew Hoo / Heights Editor
