Overlooked Again
The ten Patty Kazmaier finalists were announced today. Surprisingly, there was not one Harvard player among them.
Stone was disappointed that Ingram, whom she had nominated, was overlooked.
“She’s a tremendous player,” Stone said. “Certainly one of the best I’ve seen in terms of knowledge of the game, work ethic, and skill. I think she has been our complete player from the start of the season.”
But she said that the team did not regard such honors with much importance.
“These kids aren’t playing for individual awards,” Stone said. “I’m disappointed, but on the same token, it’s not what it’s about for this group of kids.”
Stone mentioned that maybe she was overlooked because she hadn’t put up the numbers of other candidates, but that’s not true.
Ingram was fifth in the nation in points per game and second in the nation in assists per game.
No doubt many coaches still think of her as “the third player” on the line with Jennifer Botterill ’02-’03 and Tammy Shewchuk ’00-’01, who made two of the three Patty Kazmaier finalists last season.
A few more words need to be said about USA Hockey’s selection process.
I have to believe that the even division of the 10 finalists between the West and East is hardly coincidental. If so, such a quota is horribly unfair, given that there are only 10 teams between the WCHA and the GLWHL while there are 17 ECAC teams.
It’s also interesting to note how Ingram performed head-to-head relative to the other Eastern nominees.
In Harvard’s 4-3 win over New Hampshire on Dec. 14, Patty Kazamaier finalist Kira Misikowetz was kept off the scoreboard. Ingram single-handedly exploited gaping holes in the Wildcat penalty kill, scoring three power play goals.
In Harvard’s 4-2 win over Niagara on Dec. 2, Patty Kazmaier finalist Tania Pinelli matched her season in high goals allowed at the time. Ingram assisted on all four goals.
In Harvard’s 3-2 loss to Dartmouth on Nov. 10, Patty Kazmaier finalist Carly Haggard earned more stupid penalties—including a slashing-game misconduct—than points. Ingram set up classmate Pamela Van Reesema to give Harvard an early 1-0 lead.
In Harvard’s 4-3 win over Northeastern last night, Whitney—the nation’s leading goal scorer—went her second game against Harvard this season without a goal, though she did set up the Huskies’ first. Gunn carried on Erika Silva’s tradition of losing Beanpots in overtime. Ingram assisted on Harvard’s second goal. Gunn and Whitney will prepare next weekend for the Beanpot consolation game with a BU club team. Ingram will play for Harvard’s fourth straight Beanpot championship.
And that’s what matters the most.