SPECIAL K: Princeton University women’s hockey player Kayla Fillier brings the puck up the ice in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, senior forward Fillier scored a goal to help Princeton defeat Dartmouth 5-2 and start the “Hobey 100 Weekend” celebration of the rink’s centennial with a bang. The Tigers, who defeated Harvard 3-0 a day later to improve to 9-6-1 overall and 5-5 ECAC Hockey, play at Cornell on January 13 and at Colgate on January 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Kayla Fillier felt a special vibe around Hobey Baker Rink as the Princeton University women’s hockey team took the ice Friday afternoon to start the “Hobey 100 Weekend” celebration of the rink’s centennial.

“I don’t think it has really hit the team how big this is with the 100 years,” said Princeton senior forward Fillier. “Cara (Princeton head coach Cara Morey) said to us before the game, it is not just the building being here 100 years, it is all of the people who have been part of it. Being able to see all of the alumni come back and all of the support that we have, it is going to be really huge.”

For Fillier, getting to play at Hobey Baker Rink on a daily basis has been special. “When I first came to Princeton, the one thing that really stood out was the rink and just all of the history behind it and all of the great players and all of the good people in the program as well,” said Fillier. “Just being able to practice on this rink and looking up and seeing the stone wall and all of the people pictured in the stands, you are seeing all of those people who have made the program what it is today and is just a great experience every day.”

One of the greatest players in Princeton history is Fillier’s twin sister Sarah, a two-time All American who took a hiatus from Princeton to play for the Canadian women’s national team and helped it win two world championships and the gold medal at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

On Friday as Princeton hosted Dartmouth, the twins started the game playing in the same line.

“It is pretty special, we haven’t really played on a line here,” said Fillier, whose sister is in her junior season. “Obviously she is a great player. It is great to be able to watch her out there, it is a great experience.”

Fueled by the energy in the rink, the Tigers produced a special first period, tallying four unanswered goals in a span of 6:32 and went on to skate to a 5-2 win over the Big Green.

“I think going out there in those black jerseys; they are beautiful, we are really lucky to have them,” said Fillier, referring to the special throwback jerseys the Tigers wore for the Hobey 100 celebration.

“Being able to go out in the first period and put them in a blender a bit and get our feet going, especially after the New Year’s break, was really good for us.”

Fillier enjoyed a really good moment, scoring the third Princeton goal in the first period, her first tally of the season and the second in her Tiger career.

“I honestly didn’t think I put it in,” said a smiling Fillier, a 5’6 native of Georgetown, Ontario who now has 10 points during her time at Princeton on two goals and eight assists. “I though Mariah [Keopple] did at first. I will take it; it has been a while so it is nice to get one.”

It has been nice for Fillier to get to play with her sister in college.

“I think she really keeps me in check and focused,” said Fillier.“She is someone I can always go to for honest advice and someone I can go to for help with hockey or school or anything else. I really love having her here.”

With a few months left in her hockey career, Fillier is savoring things.

“I want to take everything in and have fun as much as possible,” said Fillier. “I realize it is probably my last year of playing hockey so just take every moment in as much as possible.”

Princeton head coach Cara Morey enjoyed taking in the scene around Hobey Baker Rink as the centennial celebration got underway.

“It is incredible, I think
the big day is going to be
tomorrow but you can feel the energy in the building today,” said Morey. “It looks amazing right now.”

Morey credited her players with producing an amazing first period.

“That was the best period I have ever seen them play,” said Morey. “They came out and they were talking about the program and leaving your mark. They came out and showed it. It was awesome.”

While the Tigers hit a lull in the second period as they got outscored 1-0 by the Big Green, they sealed the deal with a solid final period.

“It is emotionally tricky and that is what this age group has to learn to deal with, how to build on momentum instead of sitting back and relaxing,” said Morey. “I could foresee that was going to happen. We knew that Dartmouth would come out different. They came out with a lot more pep in their step, with a lot more hustle and a lot more compete. The third was OK for us, we did what we needed to do.”

Seeing Fillier get a goal was emotional for Morey.

“Kayla has been due, she has had about four or five goals on her stick all year,” said Morey. “It was awesome to see her connect.”

Junior Annie Kuehl also connected against Dartmouth, tallying two goals in the win.

“Annie has been stepping up the last few weeks,” said Morey. “All season she played that role for us on  defense and then we put her back to forward. She had to fill a hole we had with injuries and then we put her back up. She looks powerful, she looks strong, she looks fast, and she keeps a simple game.”

A day later, the Tigers produced a strong finish as they scored three goals in the third period to defeat Harvard 3-0, improving to 9-6-1 overall and 5-5 ECAC Hockey.

“We have got to bottle up what we did in the first period and bring that,” said Morey, looking ahead to the matchup with the Crimson. “I do think that with all of our alums coming back and the energy around the building tomorrow, they are going to feel it. They are going to feel that this is something special.”

With Princeton playing at Cornell on January 13 and at Colgate on January 14, Morey is feeling good about how her team is playing.

“I don’t usually look ahead but I just did look ahead,” said Morey. “What I do love is that we are putting in five goals a game right now so that is better heading into this stretch knowing that we can score.”

Fillier, for her part, is fired up for the stretch drive. “I think this month is really important for us,” said Fillier. “We have had some ups and downs but I think we are on the right track.”