Much of the Boston University women’s hockey team’s 5-1 win over Providence College Saturday was akin to a normal day at the office.
Head coach Brian Durocher stood resolutely behind the bench, BU (16-9-2, 13-4-2 Hockey East) donned its scarlet and white uniforms and sophomore forward Rebecca Leslie put together another stellar day. There was one major difference, however, as Walter Brown Arena didn’t play host.
Instead, Agganis Arena, normally the home of BU’s men’s team, housed the Terriers and Friars (8-17-1, 4-11-1 Hockey East). Complete with a pregame hype video, a Jumbotron for replays and the pep band perched atop section 118, BU relished every second of a day that doesn’t come around too often.
“It’s a pretty grand building and it creates its own atmosphere,” Durocher said. “Maybe someday if you’re playing here all the time it would get stale, but it sure isn’t stale when you come over for a game or two a year. Everything is so glittery and [it’s] nice that the kids enjoy it.”
Attendance was announced as 461 people, and an electric start from BU proved the occasion was more than another shot at two Hockey East points. Junior defenseman Alexis Crossley and senior forward Rebecca Russo scored within eight seconds of each other in the first period, paving the way for a performance the Terrier faithful often expect.
As voiced in the postgame press conference, however, the day was defined by a lot more than individual or collective performances.
“I think it was a lot of fun playing over here,” Leslie said. “Wally B., our home rink, has so much history to it, but it’s nice to come in here and have a different view over here, and the facilities are amazing. It’s a really good time.”
Crossley added that Agganis’s ice surface is five feet wider than Walter Brown’s, and that suits her team, as it prefers an up-tempo style that’s dependent on passing and movement.
It’s also important to note that history is on BU’s side at Agganis. The team is now 6-1-1 when playing under its bright lights, and won its last contest on Harry Agganis Way — a 3-2 victory over Providence on Feb. 15, 2014.
All things considered, Saturday’s affair still required five skaters and a goaltender from each team, but there was undoubtedly something special about the whole ordeal. Whether it’s the “ambiance and atmosphere” or the history, the day left a lasting impression on fans and players alike.
“I thought it was amazing,” said sophomore defenseman Savannah Newton. “We definitely love our rink — Walter Brown is our home, and it’s where we’ve been. But this, I found when we stepped on the ice tonight, it was a whole new atmosphere and it was very new and fresh for us. It was really exciting.”
Jonathan's a New Englander who writes about sports, features and politics. He currently covers men's hockey at BU, worked as Sports Editor during the spring 2016 semester and is on the FreeP's Board of Directors. Toss him a follow on Twitter at @jonathansigal.
