PATON GARNERS SECOND STRAIGHT PLAYER OF THE WEEK AWARD FROM HOCKEY EAST

WAKEFIELD, Mass. – Kelly Paton (Woodstock, Ontario), a senior forward and captain of the fourth-ranked University of New Hampshire women’s ice hockey team, was honored as the Pure Hockey Player of the Week by Hockey East on Monday. It is the second consecutive week and third time overall this season Paton has received this award.

Paton recorded two points with a goal and an assist to lead UNH to a 2-1 victory at seventh-ranked Northeastern University on Nov. 29. Her unassisted shorthanded goal – she stole the puck in the offensive zone – gave the ‘Cats a 1-0 lead with 33 seconds remaining in the first period and she set up the shorthanded game-winning goal that broke a 1-1 tie with 3:27 to play in regulation. Paton recorded a game-high eight shots and had a +2 rating.

In 15 games this season, Paton has 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points to rank No. 3 in the nation in points per game (1.87), fifth in assists per game (1.13) and eighth in goals per game (0.73); she is also tied for third in game-winning goals (three) and 15th in power-play goals (three). Paton leads UNH in goals, game-winning goals, points and shooting percentage (.183) and she is second in assists, power-play goals and plus/minus (+10). Paton also leads Hockey East in points and points per game, goals and goals per game and power-play points (14); she ranks second in assists and assists per game.

UNH (10-1-4 overall, 5-0-1-0 Hockey East) has the nation’s longest active unbeaten streak of eight games (5-0-3). The Wildcats return to action Dec. 5 at home against longtime rival Providence College. Game time at the Whittemore Center is 2 p.m.

The UNH athletic department's annual "Toys for Tots" campaign will be held at the Dec. 5 game. Marines will be on hand to collect the new, unwrapped toys. Tickets for the game are available at the Whittemore Center box office, online at www.unhwildcats.com and through TicketMaster.