By Tim Schmitt
Little about Jennifer MacLean’s hockey career has been consistent. An offensively-gifted forward from the Toronto suburb of Oshawa, MacLean started her collegiate career at Quinnipiac, becoming the team’s most valuable player in a sophomore year that saw her post a career-high 24 points in 33 games.
She longed to be closer to home and left as coaching changes were made.
Last year, she suffered through a down season with former Niagara coach Margot Page, and now, as a senior she’s got rookie head coach Chris MacKenzie behind the bench.
But through all the changes, MacLean’s has seen one constant as a collegian — her dad’s smiling face in the stands.
Other than one single contest — in which he took his wife to last year’s Super Bowl in Tampa Bay — John MacLean has seen every one of his daughter’s contest, at home and on the road.
“He’s watched the good, he’s watched the bad,” MacLean said. “He travels a lot for work and he sets it up so he can come. Everyone knows it — Dad will be in the stands, wearing his Niagara jersey. That’s what he does.”
What MacLean does is find the scoresheet. Bringing a four-game point streak into this weekend’s series with No. 8 Northeastern, she’s already notched 15 points in 20 games, including four power-play goals.
The one thing that might slow MacLean this weekend is a battle with the stomach flu. She sat out Friday’s practice, but hopes to suit up for tonight’s game. If she can’t go, MacKenzie will have to change up a first line that’s carried Niagara (8-8-4 overall, 3-3-2 College Hockey America) much of the season.
“She’s very gifted offensively,” MacKenzie said. “The main thing she wanted to work on at the beginning of the year is her consistency, and she’s been fairly consistent. She’s a playmaker who likes to set people up, but she has the talent to put the puck in the net.”
And MacLean has become comfortable with linemates Jenna Hendrikx and Frances McPhail, who have combined for 19 of the team’s 45 goals this year.
MacKenzie discovered the combination when he moved Mary McKinnon to the second line and pushed freshman Hendrikx up to play with the two seniors.
“We’ve been together much of the season, almost from the beginning,” MacLean said. “Even if we’re not scoring, I feel like our line gets its chances. Even off the ice, we’re very compatible. We’re very upbeat. We’re just relaxed.
“I’ve never enjoyed playing with anyone like I’ve enjoyed playing with them.”
Contact sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.
GAME NIGHT
• WHO: No. 8 Northeastern at Niagara women’s hockey
• WHEN: 7 p.m. today, 2 p.m., Sun.
• WHERE: Dwyer Arena
