Brittany Ott will never forget her final game in goal for the University of Maine women’s hockey team.
She set the school record with 72 saves in a 2-1 overtime loss to Boston College in the Hockey East quarterfinals on March 1, 2013.
Ott hasn’t had to make nearly as many saves in a game this season in helping lead the Boston Pride to the inaugural National Women’s Hockey League Isobel Cup championship earlier this month.
The Michigan native was named the four-team league’s top goaltender on Sunday.
She led the league in regular season wins (13) and goals-against average (1.94) and was second in save percentage (.925). She wound up 13-1 and then won all four playoff games with a 1.85 GAA and a .915 save percentage.
Ott notched 2,919 saves in her four years at UMaine and posted a .915 save percentage and a 2.74 GAA.
Ott said her time at UMaine served her well for her pro career, which included two years with the Boston Blades in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League before joining the Pride.
“Seeing all of those shots enables you to learn so much more about the game,” she said. “You learn how to read players as well as different situations.
“It absolutely helped me get where I am today. I’m very proud to be a Black Bear,” she said.
Ott said being named the league’s best goaltender was quite an honor. It was chosen by the NWHL’s Writers Group comprised of 50 journalists who cover the league.
“It’s incredible to be recognized by the writers. I definitely attribute my success to my team,” said Ott. “Our team had a phenomenal year. We definitely had the best defense corps in the league, by far. We took care of our own zone and transitioned to offense. That carried us.”
Her defense corps included 2014 United States Olympians Gigi Marvin, chosen the league’s top defenseman, and Kacey Bellamy, sister of former UMaine winger Rob Bellamy.
The Pride also featured two forwards who were 2014 U.S. Olympians in league Most Valuable Player Brianna Decker and regular season scoring champion Hilary Knight.
In addition to the Pride and the Beauts, the league also consisted of the Connecticut Whale and New York Riveters. Each team played 18 regular season games.
She said the average salary in the league was between $14,000-$15,000. She supplements her income by giving goalie lessons.
“I’d have to say the league was a complete success,” said Ott. “We had a ton of support across all four communities. We had some hiccups along the way, but we put a great product out there and a lot of people bought in. Players bought in and communities bought in.
“It was a great year for us and a great year for the sport,” she added.
The one negative during the season was the severe spinal cord injury suffered by Pride teammate Denna Laing, who fell awkwardly into the boards at Foxboro’s Gillette Stadium during an exhibition game in December.
“She’s at a rehab center, and she’s doing phenomenally,” Ott said. “She continues to make progress and get stronger. She’s an incredible person. Her strength is inspiring. Even people at the rehab center look up to her. She is constantly smiling. I can’t say enough about her.”
After taking a few weeks off, Ott will head back to the gym to prepare for next season. She will also begin skating once or twice per week.