The University of Southern third-year women’s hockey program is off to its best start and two local women are making a dramatic impact in their first seasons at USM.

Glenburn’s Stacey Rudnicki, a sophomore winger who transferred from the University of Maine, is tied for the team lead in scoring with Holly Manning as Rudnicki has three goals and four assists for the 4-2-1 Huskies (3-1 in the ECAC Women’s Division III League).

Jeanna Leclerc, who graduated from Blue Hill’s George Stevens Academy last June, has played a regular shift on the blue line and has contributed a goal and two assists.

Rudnicki played on the boys team at Bangor’s John Bapst High School for four years. Leclerc played for the girls’ Maine selects team because GSA doesn’t have a varsity program.

They are both Penobscot Valley Hockey Conference alums.

“Stacey is a very good forward with good hands and good ice vision,” said USM first-year coach Dave Venditti. “And she’s probably our fastest skater.”

In addition to playing a regular shift, Rudnicki also plays on the power play and kills penalties.

Leclerc, according to Vanditti, is a “pretty strong presence on defense. And she has some offensive skills. She has some things to learn but she’s going to be a very strong player in our league.”

Yet another player with Eastern Maine ties is winger Nicole Lemieux of Winslow, who transferred from Sacred Heart University (Conn.).

Lemieux has played in two games and has an assist.

“She’s a strong role player who works hard and fills the gaps when we need it,” said Venditti.

Venditti is pleased with the team’s start.

“They’ve played real well and they’ve played as a team which is important,” said Venditti whose Huskies beat RPI and Vermont on a recent road trip and own a 2-2 overtime tie against long-established Colby.

Meanwhile, the University of Southern Maine men have a former Bangor High player on their roster in back-up goalie Jason Tuck.

The junior, who also runs for the cross country and track teams at USM, has yet to play in a game as he is currently backing up workhorse Tim MacIntosh.

The Husky men are 3-6 overall, 0-3 in ECAC East.

Goalie J.R. Wappel has been ineligible for the first semester but may gain his eligibility in a couple of weeks. Regardless, Tuck will remain with the team.