The Boston University women’s ice hockey team advanced into the second round of the Women’s Hockey East Tournament for the first time in program history on Saturday when it defeated Northeastern University, 2-1, at Walter Brown Arena.’
Freshman Jenelle Kohanchuk lifted the Terriers (18-10-7, 14-6-1 HE) to victory with a brilliant, unassisted goal in the final period. The score was her 14th goal and third game-winner of the season.
Senior Gina Kearns started off the scoring with a power-play goal near the end of the first period, the Terriers’ only power-play conversion of the day.’ ‘
‘It was definitely satisfying,’ Kearns said.’ ‘We couldn’t have gone out in a better way.’
The goalies from both teams played well, keeping the score low despite a huge number of shots. Northeastern (12-20-3, 7-13-1) freshman Florence Schelling had 35 saves. BU’s senior Allyse Wilcox had 23.
The win reversed a history of losing in the first round for the Terriers, who will play No. 6 Boston College (21-7-5, 14-5-2) in the Hockey East semifinals this Saturday in Durham, N.H.
‘I think it’s exciting for the program,’ BU coach Brian Durocher said. ‘It’s a wonderful reward for these young ladies. They’ve worked real hard . . . Last year was sort of a bitter pill. This year, I think the field is a little more balanced. We have a shot at going up there and winning the big one.’
The power play was immensely important in the story of Saturday’s game. Despite being 0-for-6 on power-play scoring, Northeastern was able to keep up with the Terriers for most of the day. BU had only three power plays for the entire game, with Kearns scoring on one. Schelling was the key to Northeastern’s penalty kill, coming up with a string of good saves to keep the game scoreless.
The freshman was a wall in Northeastern’s net for most of the first, turning away nearly every Terrier looking for a score. Schelling faced 16 shots from the Terriers, who turned on their offense 19 minutes into the game.’ ‘
‘She’s been outstanding all season,’ Kearns said of Schelling. ‘Every time we play her, we have a hard time getting pucks past her. Her glove was definitely on fire today. But when you get 40 to 45 shots, a couple are going to bounce in. So lucky for us, we got a couple today.’
The Terriers finally found an opening at 17:49 of the first while on the power play. With Husky junior Ginny Berg out for two minutes on a checking penalty, sophomore Jillian Kirchner took a shot from just to the left of NU’s net that Schelling deflected. Kearns was there to sink the rebound for her 15th goal of the season.
With less than a minute left in the first, Schelling went down in a scrum in front of the net, but remained in goal for the rest of the game.
Northeastern went into the second period firing. The Huskies had a man advantage for almost two minutes due to sophomore Holly Lorms’ hooking penalty in the first period that held over into the second.
The Terriers and Huskies were dead even in this period in shots on goal, 14-14. Northeastern’s turnaround on offense came in part because of the multiple BU penalties in the second that gave the Huskies six minutes with a man advantage.’
Northeastern finally tied the game at 14:33 of the second. Senior goalie Allyse Wilcox tried to cover the puck after NU sophomore Julia Marty took a shot from the left side of the net. Senior Missy Elumba found the loose puck and slapped it into the open net for an easy goal and the tying score.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘
At 12:47 of the third, Kohanchuk showed why she is one of Hockey East’s top scorers and an essential part of the Terrier offense.
After picking up the puck in the neutral zone, the freshman weaved her way in and around the Huskies’ defense. Reaching the crease, Kohanchuk turned left and slipped the puck just past Schelling for the game-winner.
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