This Boston University women’s hockey team prepared for a familiar foe this weekend.
The “stressed environment” that Minnesota, Colgate and Brown gave them prior to playing Hockey East had made it clear to them what strengths they could play to and what kinks needed to be ironed out.
Taking everything they learned from that stretch, the Terriers put together a full sixty-minute performance that they believed they were building towards – it came in game six with a 4-2 win over the New Hampshire Wildcats.
The importance of the victory could not overshadow BU’s professionalism. They fell 2-1 in the final phase of the second period and did not shy away from it.
“I think it was really important. But I like that we weren’t too excited,” senior captain Maeve Carey said. “We took it and we acted like we’ve been there before, and we’re just going to keep going, keep our foot on the accelerator.”
While their foot is on the pedal, their paws must remain on ten and two when the Terriers face the No. 12 Northeastern Huskies (4-2-0, 1-0-0) for a home-and-home series.
Pasiechnyk won, will she still start?
Both Michelle Pasiechnyk and Mari Petersen have split their time evenly between the pipes for BU, each with three games under their belts this season. Coach Watchorn said before last week’s win that she would be happy deciding who would start based on “who helps us get wins” – Michelle Pasiechnyk did her part in that category.
Pasiechnyk made 16 straight saves after allowing her second and final goal en route to her first win for the Terriers. The graduate netminder finished with 27 saves and a .931 save percentage against UNH. Does this mean she gets the ‘runway’?
“It definitely puts a checkmark in her in the win column. That’s for sure,” Watchorn said, “happy with how she’s playing this week and looking so far.”
The answer remains to be seen.
Lots of speed
BU was able to generate momentum with sustained offense from a stellar defense in the neutral zone in its first win – posting a season-high 40 shots on goal.
Heading into NU, Coach Watchorn emphasized speed. A need from her team’s end and a trait that needs to be taken away from a young, revamped Huskies team.
“I actually went back to the Ted Lasso episode, and they had asked Beard to do a pre-scout at Crystal Palace and he just said ‘lots of speed’,” Watchorn said. “But definitely a fast team – lots of youth, right?… There’s a lot of talent there. There’s a lot of youth at the back too, but a promising squad in front of them.”
Exploring the Huskies
Northeastern has six skaters who have scored above 0.80 points per game in six games played. Senior Lily Shannon leads the Huskies with 10 points (two goals, eight assists) – the only team to score higher than a point per game.
The Huskies showcase one of the best penalty kills: they rank sixth in the country in kill percentage at 94.1 percent.
NU enters this series coming off a bye week after both coming off lone losses to Quinnipiac University. The Huskies gave up nine goals to the Bobcats, seven of which came from one player, Kahlen Lamarche.
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