The best players step up when their team needs them the most.

After getting thoroughly dismantled by Boston College, 4-0, Friday at Walter Brown Arena, sophomore Melissa Anderson lit a fire under her team and led the Terriers to their first-ever victory over BC at Conte Forum Saturday, 4-1, with her first career hat trick and an assist.

This weekend’s home-and-home series with Boston College was especially important because of the playoff stakes. Coming into the weekend, BU held a one-point advantage for the fourth and final Hockey East playoff spot. With the split, BU keeps a slight advantage heading into next weekend’s final two games against Northeastern University, while BC concludes its season with two games against Providence College.

The Terriers responded well to Friday’s adversity, and Anderson was the reason. Although the final playoff seeds won’t be settled for another week, Anderson’s play on Saturday saved the Terriers from being surpassed by BC and put her team in position to make its first-ever Hockey East playoff appearance.

Friday was particularly frustrating for Anderson, who was minus-1 with three shots and spent six minutes in the penalty box. To make matters worse, two of her penalties were borderline calls. At 7:41, Anderson was called for tripping junior Meaghan Fardelmann while the Terriers were on the power play.

“Friday I think she was a victim of circumstances with a couple of tough-luck calls,” Durocher said. “They probably were penalties but they were on the border. I think, unfortunately, when things are going wrong you get called for it and when things aren’t maybe you sneak away with it.”

After a rough game, Anderson responded on Saturday. She played a role in each of the team’s four points, and scored a goal in each period for her first career hat trick. Anderson leads the team with 26 points this season, but Durocher acknowledged she has had stretches of inconsistency.

Anderson’s the work ethic showed its face on Saturday. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to get lucky once in awhile, especially when trying to build confidence.

“She really rebounded and got some good fortune on the third goal that capped her hat trick. That was a deflection off a forecheck that went right off her shoulder and into the net,” Durocher said.

With a playoff spot at stake with each remaining game, Anderson is catching fire at the perfect time. This weekend, she proved to be a clutch player who is emerging as the team’s go-to scorer.

“Big players need to play well not only during the whole season, but in big games,” Durocher said. “Melissa Anderson is arguably the best player on the team, certainly up front. I think she’s been a little snake-bitten and had her tough ways this year, but she’s continued to keep trying and continued to keep working. That’s all we can ask from somebody.”