Boston College got left behind in the Beanpot, but they still hold the advantage where it counts – the Hockey East standings.
Before the Terriers can skate into the ‘Pot Finals, the Boston University women’s ice hockey team must turn its attention to a two-game set at the University of Vermont this weekend.
The Terriers (10-12-3, 6-6-1 HE), locked in a tight battle with BC in the conference playoff race, have four crucial league points up for grabs tonight and tomorrow against the last-place Catamounts (5-20-1, 1-11-1).
While Vermont’s record may not intimidate opponents, the Catamounts are a far more challenging foe at Gutterson Fieldhouse, where they are 5-7-1. If the Terriers remain focused on the task at hand and take care of the Catamounts they will leapfrog the Eagles for fourth place in Hockey East.
“The night of the BC game, I told [the players] they had until midnight and then they had to drop that game,” said BU coach Brian Durocher. “We really need to get these two.”
Tuesday’s win at Walter Brown Arena legitimized BU’s presence in the race for the conference playoffs, as the Terriers hold a 2-0-0 record against BC this season.
Led by junior goaltender Allyse Wilcox, whose play has kept every game within reach, the Terriers are entering the final leg of the season playing at a high level.
“The wins against Providence and BC definitely gave us some confidence, so we’re looking forward to [Vermont],” said junior co-captain Gina Kearns, who put home the game-winning goal in the teams’ first meeting.
The first contest between the teams resulted in a 3-0 Terrier victory Dec. 2. Wilcox recorded her first shutout of the year, stopping 21 shots to keep the Catamounts off the board.
Vermont, while not yet competitive against the brass of Hockey East, is much-improved since last season. The Catamounts have already increased their win total from three to five, lowering their goals-against average by nearly 1.50 and scoring a dozen more goals than at this point last season.
There’s always a tendency in sports to overlook an opponent, and cellar-dwelling UVM fits the bill. It will be especially easy for BU to do so this weekend with a showdown looming against No. 1 Harvard University in next Tuesday’s Beanpot final. The Terriers are well aware of the “trap” situation, but know they must take care of business in conference games to secure a postseason berth.
“We’ve been looking at the standings and know we’re a couple points back from playoff position,” Kearns said. “These four points that are up for grabs are really going to help us or hurt us. We’re definitely focused and ready to play.”
Durocher has been encouraged by BU’s play in front of the net over the last two weeks. The Terriers have been much more physical, grinding to get into position to screen the opposing goalie and deflect pucks.
“We have to do the little things, Durocher said. “There was a part of the season here – maybe it was my fault – where I was a little lax on it. We were all looking at each other on the ice and saying, ‘You do it.’ If everybody just looks at themselves and takes their turn doing it, our team’s going to get rewards.
