The opportunity has presented itself for the Boston University women’s ice hockey team to shake up the college hockey landscape.
Entering tonight’s Beanpot final against No. 1 Harvard University, the Terriers (12-12-3, 8-6-1 Hockey East) will play the role of underdog, trying to knock the Crimson (22-1-0, 18-0-0 ECAC) off its perch atop the national rankings and grab a Beanpot trophy in the process.
After sweeping through Burlington, Vt. and coming home with a pair of convincing victories over the University of Vermont last weekend, the Terriers roll into the ‘Pot final with a four-game winning streak and playing at the top of their game. BU will face a team that has brought its best to the ice all year, faltering just once — against the No. 2 University of New Hampshire.
“Excitement is the optimum word,” said BU coach Brian Durocher.
Winning the Beanpot over the top team in the nation would give the Terriers much more than just bragging rights over the rest of Boston’s hockey schools – the game represents a benchmark for a young program still looking to make a name for itself. On the path toward a potential postseason berth, a strong showing against a team of Harvard’s caliber is critical for BU’s confidence as the season comes to a close.
“[Winning] would be terribly exciting,” Durocher said. “It would be another small step in the right direction to come up with a win against the top team. It would continue the progress we need confidence-wise.”
Harvard is an elite team at both ends of the ice, possessing a group of skilled playmakers who can bury shots at will, as well as the nation’s best goaltender — Christina Kessler. The sophomore is first in Division I in all major statistical categories: goals-against average (.81), save percentage (.961) and shutouts (10).
Kessler won’t be the only dominant goaltender on the ice tonight, with junior Allyse Wilcox opposite her in BU’s net. Wilcox ranks seventh in the country in GAA (1.59) and third in save percentage (.939). Tonight’s result may very well depend on which goalie is sharper in net as the game wears on.
“They both bring a great deal of confidence to their team,” Durocher said. “Nobody is looking behind them or over their shoulder looking to see what’s going to happen.”
Durocher has seen enough of Kessler to develop a plan of attack to keep the netminder off her game.
“[Kessler] is very adept at moving the puck up so we’re not going to be able to dump it in and make line changes,” Durocher. “We have to keep her away from starting their breakout.”
There is one other Crimson athlete at the top of BU’s scouting report: junior Sarah Vaillancourt. The forward has burned opposing goalies all season, registering 15 goals and 27 assists. She is even more dangerous at critical moments, as six of Vaillancourt’s tallies have been game-winners.
“The real wild card is Vaillancourt,” Durocher said. “At any time she can make a 2-1 game into a 4-1 game in one shift.”
The Terriers have a tall task in front of them, but the current hot streak has the team in high spirits heading into tonight’s action.
“Having a four-game winning streak, getting into the Beanpot final and taking care of business in between [against Vermont] — it all bodes well for people feeling good. Hopefully we can ride that a little bit and play well [tonight],” Durocher said.