The third period proved to be a game changer for the Boston University women’s hockey team in its 3-2 win over No. 6/7 Northeastern University at Agganis Arena. After waiting until 4:27 into the third period to score their first goal, the Terriers pulled out the win thanks to late offense and strong defense.
In their last two wins the Terriers defeated the University of Vermont and No. 4 Boston College 6-2 and 6-0, respectively. But in its game against the Huskies, BU had to muster up points and fight for the lead straight through the last seconds of the game.
“It’s easier to play on those blowout games,” said senior captain Jenn Wakefield. “But when it comes down to one goal, we need everyone to contribute and it’s just more fun.”
Wakefield scored the winning goal for the Terriers 18:11 into the third period, her team-leading 17th tally of the season. Sophomore forwards Marie-Philip Poulin and Louise Warren paired up to assist Wakefield in her difference-making point.
Poulin opened the play with a shot on net that Warren redirected. Northeastern netminder Florence Schelling blocked the shot, but Wakefield took advantage of the rebound to put a shot past Schelling, who is second in the nation in save percentage.
“I think we’ve got some people who can shoot the puck on this team but [Schelling] makes some people look pretty average sometimes,” Durocher said.
As soon as the puck was lodged in the back of the net, the Pickering, Ontario native grabbed her pink jersey, which all of the Terriers wore for the “Skating Strides Against Breast Cancer” event, and showed it to the crowd. After the game, she mentioned that breast cancer affects almost everyone she knows.
Wakefield’s goal would have meant nothing, however, without two other essential third period tallies.
BU’s scoring began in the third frame when junior forward Jill Cardella deflected a shot from junior defenseman Kathryn Miller through Schelling’s pads. The goal tied the game at one, but Northeastern soon re-took the lead with a power-play goal nearly 12 minutes into the final period.
Wakefield followed with a breakaway that looked like a sure goal, but the puck flew over the net as she attempted to lift it over Schelling’s glove.
“I was pretty disappointed,” Wakefield said. “I felt like I had let my team down on that one. I could have given us the go-ahead goal.”
Wakefield did not have to worry for too long, however, as junior forward Isabel Menard took a pass from Wakefield moments later and converted it into a goal to knot the game at two.
“I didn’t feel as bad after,” Wakefield said. “She saved me.”
With just over a minute left in the game, sophomore goaltender Kerrin Sperry stood between a win and possible overtime. When a bouncing puck landed in Sperry’s jersey, the North Reading native jumped on it, holding on until a whistle blow signaled the end of the attack.
“She competes and fights and even in the end, they got a shot that was a little bit of a screen but it was more of a funny knuckleball,” Durocher said. “Never did she stop fighting or reaching back or trying to keep that thing out of the net because [Northeastern was] within inches of tying.”
The Terriers were only 2-11 when trailing after the second period this season before their victory over the Huskies.
Shot production was at its highest for BU in the third period as well. Outshooting the Huskies 39-30 overall, the Terriers did not lead in shots until they registered 20 in the third period.
“[Northeastern is] as quick as anyone we play and we didn’t make them work very hard and they could have taken the game right there,” Durocher said. “But to come back in the end shows some character and it’s important as we move forward getting into these big games and trying to get on a roll and today keeps you on that roll.”
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maybe they did not have coiulcsnve evidence that the puck went in. keep in mind if the refs ruled it no goal, they would need CONCLUSIVE proof that the puck has indeed crossed the line. the way it seemed in your pictures it seems the stick is making it hard to see if crossed the line. now the judges have more angles to work on, but in this case the simple overheard camera should give enough evidence. but like i said if they dont have coiulcsnve proof the ruling on the ice stands.