Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe used to play with such skill and violence that fans awarded him his own stat: the Gordie Howe Hat Trick. To earn one, a player must have a goal, assist and fight in one game.
And while there’s no fighting in college hockey, Boston University forward Melissa Anderson came pretty close to registering a Howe Hat Trick Saturday against Providence College. The sophomore notched two goals, an assist and a penalty for hitting after the whistle in BU’s 3-1 victory over the Friars at Walter Brown Arena.
Like Howe, Anderson plays the game with skill and passion. She is relentless along the boards in one-on-one battles, and leads BU with 19 points.
After finishing her rookie season as the Terriers’ leading scorer (34 points), Anderson was expected to shoulder much of the offensive load this year. And although she’s among the team leaders in points, she’s experienced scoring slumps due to a penchant for taking undisciplined penalties.
BU coach Brian Durocher benched Anderson earlier this season for taking too many penalties, but said he’s seen an improved player since.
“All year she’s improved with penalties,” Durocher said. “She’s going to get penalties because she plays pretty darn hard, but when she takes one that is not in the best interest of the team, that is different than taking an assertive penalty.”
Perhaps Anderson put it best after a Jan. 26 win over the University of Maine: “The puck and my skate aren’t really getting along.”
For an aggressive player like Anderson, penalty minutes are an unavoidable part of the game. She said she recognizes the problem, and has worked on cutting down preventable penalties.
“In my game, I think [physicality] is very important,” Anderson said. “Without the physicality I’m not really myself.”
The Terriers were in a ditch entering Saturday’s game. After conceding two of three games to Providence and possibly costing themselves a chance to finish higher than fourth in Hockey East, BU desperately needed a win. Anderson came through for her team, playing a part in each of the three power-play goals.
Entering Saturday’s game, Anderson had two assists and six penalty minutes in her last three games. Although she tallied just one assist in last weekend’s two-game series against Maine, she helped set the tone with an aggressive forecheck and played well defensively.
While she won’t admit it, Anderson has shown a marked improvement as of late. She is critical of her game, always believing she can play better.
“I don’t know if I really agree [that I’m playing my best hockey],” Anderson said. “I just got lucky [Saturday]. I feel like that second goal I got it went off the girl’s skate. Things finally started to click. We were doing really well as a line and as a team, and it came together.
“It’s just one of those things, you’re always your hardest critic. That’s how I feel about myself.”
Anderson’s momentous weekend could not have come at a better time. The Terriers are in a dogfight with Boston College for the fourth and final playoff spot in Hockey East. With eight conference games left – including two against the Eagles – BU will need Anderson at her best.
“I was happy that she got some reward,” Durocher said. “She’s somebody we count on. She knows she’s been in a little bit of a slump. All you can do is be accountable for your defense and how hard you work, and hopefully the goalies will stop making all their best saves against you.”