Terriers Kick Off 2018 with Weekend vs. Maine

By: Akshai Wadhwani        January 5, 2018

After concluding 2017 with a 1-1 tie against Princeton on New Year’s Eve, the Boston University women’s ice hockey team is set to kick off the new year with a two-game weekend tilt against Maine at Walter Brown Arena.

The Terriers (7-10-4 overall, 3-7-3 in the WHEA) have produced lukewarm results as of late, drawing one win from their last six games; the upcoming fixtures will not only give them a chance to gain some much-needed momentum, but will also provide the opportunity to improve a home record that sits at 3-5-1.

Despite these shortcomings, BU continues to outscore opponents at 66-59, while averaging 32.5 shots per game. The outstanding players on the roster remain, as usual, Victoria Bach and Rebecca Leslie, the dynamic senior duo who account for 38 of the Terriers’ 66 goals and one-third of their total assists. Other notables are Abby Cook (16 assists), Jesse Compher (2 goals, 11 assists) and Reagan Rust, who leads BU with 39 blocked shots.

In contrast to the Terriers’ current streak, Maine will arrive in Boston undefeated in their last six. The Black Bears (12-6-3 overall, 6-3-2 in the WHEA) most recently played three straight games against Vermont, winning 2-0, tying 2-2 and winning 4-1. As well as producing victories against both No. 9 Quinnipiac and No. 10 Robert Morris earlier this season, Maine also defeated BU, 4-2, when the two teams met in October.

The Black Bears are outshooting opponents 611-537, and outscoring them 55-44; however, the Terriers can expect limited danger from the power play, where the Black Bears display a dismal 0.100 conversion percentage with just seven goals from 70 opportunities. In terms of individual players, Maine boasts an equally influential, if not quite as prolific, pair to that of BU’s Bach and Leslie: Sophomore Tereza Vanišová and senior Brooke Stacey. The two have recorded one-third of the Black Bears’ goals and more than one-third of their assists. The visitors additionally include several well-rounded offensive players, including Michelle Weis (5 goals, 7 assists), Catherine Tufts (7 goals, 4 assists) and Vendula Pribylova (5 goals, 6 assists).

Puck drop for both Saturday and Sunday is set for 3 P.M.