HARTFORD — The positive energy was palpable outside the Hartford girls hockey team’s locker room following Wednesday’s 3-0 loss to Rutland at Wendell A. Barwood Arena.
The season opener marked an improvement for the hosts, who fell to the Raiders 11-0 during last year’s rebuilding season, which included just two wins.
“It’s just so much progress, and it’s like turning a new leaf,” said senior captain Ceci Spaulding. “We’re going to be super strong this year and I’m super excited.”
The Canes came out with intensity, testing Raiders goalie Kristen Pariseau early with three quick shots. Rylee Potwin and Nora Knudsen both had quality bids in the ensuing minutes.
Hartford net minder Zoey Pfeiffer kept busy throughout the evening on her way to 14 saves.
Two first-period shots by Rutland punctured the Hartford defense: Elise Lidstone’s long shot from just inside the blue line (5:59 remaining) and a breakaway by Alexis Patterson that deflected off a defender’s skate then across the goal line (1:11).
First-period penalties were an early issue for Hartford (0-1). The Canes successfully killed their first of three, looking rather comfortable down a player, but the Raiders (1-0) refined their power play the second time around, opening up a two-goal lead heading into the first intermission.
Caitlin Slider nearly scored Hartford’s first goal of the season on a nifty wraparound attempt in the second period’s opening minute.
The period’s lone goal was scored by Rutland’s Alexis Patterson on a power play with 8:44 remaining.
“They got two power play goals. We’ve got to stay out of the box, but that’s going to happen with young teams,” said Hartford’s third-year coach, Bill Goldsworthy. “Learn to keep our feet moving, learn to not try to overcompensate and understand what your role is, and I think this team right now, I can tell you, is very determined to do that.”
Slider and Greer McCarty both knocked on the door during a late Hartford power play, but Pariseau (15 saves) stayed hot enroute to posting the shutout.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a disappointment just because of how well the game went the whole time,” Spaulding said regarding her team’s inability to score. “I just think next time we play them, we’re going to beat them.”
Rutland picked up a penalty in the third period to match Hartford at five overall but were kept scoreless.
“I’m proud of them,” said Goldsworthy. “That was some pretty good hockey for the first game of the season for what we’ve had in the past here, so we’re growing.”
The Hurricanes, who hope to improve upon last year’s record of 2-17-2, have 29 players, 20 of whom dressed on Wednesday. There were just 13 or 14 when Goldsworthy took over the program.
“I’ve got a lot of new players who have never played at this level, played systems hockey,” Goldsworthy said. “We’re working on that. We’ve been on the ice for almost a month now, which is great. These kids soak it up, they want to learn.
“They were very nervous tonight because they felt like they hadn’t learned enough yet. That’s so much different than when I took over the program, where the girls had no really idea of … they just were happy to be here. These girls want to compete; they’re competitive.”
Hartford’s next game is Saturday at Brattleboro.
Notes: The Canes have multiple players from both Bellows Falls and Thetford Academy. … Izzy Stack is the top returning point-scorer with 15, including nine goals. Other returning point-scorers on Wednesday’s roster included Brianna Roberts (seven points); Nora Knudsen (six); Greer McCarty (four); Kylie Clark (three); Ceci Spaulding (three); Rylee Potwin (one); and Alyssa Leonard (one). … The Hurricanes two wins last season were back-to-back against Kingdom (North Country and Lyndon Institute) and Brattleboro. They tied both Spaulding and Harwood-Northfield.