The rivalry between Boston University and Boston College took to the ice last night at Walter Brown Arena, as the women got their chance to add their own chapter of Beanpot history. The Terrier women bested the efforts of their male counterparts in opening-round action of the Beanpot Tournament, downing the Eagles, 3-1.
Last night marked the second meeting between the Terriers and Eagles this season, the first coming Dec. 6 at Walter Brown Arena, where BU pulled off a 3-2 overtime upset of then-No. 9 BC. After losing three of four to the Eagles last season, the Terriers have played some of their best hockey against the Eagles this year.
In analyzing the growing rivalry between the squads, it’s important to note that BU is in its third season as a varsity program, with one fewer class of scholarship athletes.
In those three years, however, the storied history between BU and BC has infiltrated the Walter Brown locker room. When the Terriers take the ice, it’s clear that a matchup with the Eagles isn’t just another game. It means something more.
“Obviously, it means a lot because BC is our rival. It is special,” said sophomore Jonnie Bloemers, who scored her fifth goal of the season last night.
Bloemers appears to be blossoming into an Eagle-killer, netting her second game-winning goal of the season against BC. The Brooklyn Center, Minn. native banged home a one-timer from the slot in overtime to beat the Eagles Dec. 6, and it was her goal last night — set up by a beautiful play on a breakaway by senior Julie Poulin — that put BU ahead for good.
After reaching the Beanpot final last season for the first time as a varsity program, the Terriers fell hard to BC, dropping a 6-1 decision at Conte Forum. Last night’s first-round matchup presented an opportunity for BU to put last year’s disheartening defeat behind it.
“When we play at BC it’s not like we’re not playing hard, but it’s never going our way,” Poulin said. “Our record when we play BC at home is pretty good. When we step on the ice in our building, it gives us that little edge.”
As the women’s edition of the BU-BC rivalry develops, the teams are in the midst of a heated battle to secure a Hockey East playoff spot. Home-ice advantage has dominated the recent matchups, as the home team has won each of the last six contests.
“I think the noise in here [at Walter Brown] is tremendous. Even if there’s not a full building, it sounds like there’s a lot more [fans],” said BC coach Katie King. “It’s very different than what’s in our building.”
With a home-and-home weekend series looming at the end of the month, the rivalry should only intensify. The Eagles lead the Terriers by one point, and Beanpot action does not impact the Hockey East standings.
“It’s starting to develop,” King said of the BU-BC history. “You know how strong the rivalry is on the men’s side. I think it’s great for women’s hockey to have a rivalry like that. They’ve beat us twice this year, so it’s really kicking into gear.”