Women’s Hockey Notebook: Terriers set to clash with No. 10 Providence in quarterfinals
By Patrick Donnelly
The Boston University Terriers (6-5) will travel to Providence College for a Hockey East quarterfinals matchup with the tenth-ranked Friars (10-6-1) on Sunday afternoon.
The Terriers enter Sunday’s matchup on the heals of a 2-0 shutout at the hands of Boston College on home ice. BU has split each of their last two series (Vermont and BC), managing just seven goals in the four contests.
Meanwhile, the Friars have not played until Feb. 12 against BC, a 2-1 overtime loss. Prior to that Providence had one just one of its previous four contests. Since the start of the new year, PC is just 4-5. However, the Friars had started the season on a 6-1-1 run.
BU head coach Brian Durocher knows the playoffs are a different animal, and the regular season is not necessarily indicative of future success.
“One season came to close the other day, and one season is now upon us,” he said. “It can be a short season if you don’t take care of business.”
Offensively, the Friars have been led by junior forward Sara Hjalmarsson, who has five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 17 games on the season. Behind her, three skaters have 11 points in 17 contests – junior forward Caroline Peterson (5g, 6a), sophomore forward Bailey Burton (4g, 7a) and freshman defender Brooke Becker (2g, 9a).
In goal, junior netminder Sandra Abstreiter has been a workhorse for Providence, starting in all 17 games on the season. So far, Absteiter has a 10-6-1 record, three shutouts a .928 save percentage and a 1.94 goals-against average.
Durocher knows his group will have to be at its best against a deep Friars squad.
“We’re obviously going against a strong opponent that had a very solid year right from the get go,” he said. “They just seem to be steady all through the year – good goaltending, and a lot of kids that compete really hard on that team.”
“We’re going to have to match their compete level, we’re going to have to match their smarts, and hopefully, we can create enough good bounces for Boston University.”
For the Terriers, senior forward and co-captain Jesse Compher has been dominant this season with seven goals and four assists for 11 points in eight games. Supporting her in terms of production have been junior forwards Courtney Correia (2g, 6a in 11 games) and Mackenna Parker (4g, 2a in 11 games). Parker has two goals and an assist over her last three contests.
In between the pipes for the BU, senior goaltender Corinne Schroeder has had yet another solid year. In seven appearances, Schroeder has two shutouts, a 3-4-0 record, a .925 save percentage and a 1.84 GAA. Junior netminder Kate Stuart has also been strong for the Terriers, posting a shutout, a 3-1-0 record, a .937 save percentage and a 1.76 GAA. She is yet to suit up in a playoff game.
Durocher says the team has not made any decisions as to who will start in goal on Sunday.
“The good news is, wherever that goes, we’re gonna have a talent goalie in the net,” he said. “We’re watching them in practice, and it’ll be a tough decision, no matter what.
“Like I said, we’re gonna have a talented upperclassmen ready to go when the bell rings.”
BU also continues to return to full health as freshman defender Madison Cardaci will be available to play on Sunday. However, sophomore forward Julia Nearis (2g, 1a in three games) will not be available. Neither have played since the Terriers’ Dec. 11 loss to UConn.
Durocher says Cardaci’s will allow the team some added flexibility with the lineup.
“She is our seventh defender,” he said. “We’ll see whether my staff feels that would be nice to have a seventh, insurance-wise. I don’t think we’re in a situation where we have to rush her into the lineup, but she may be a nice safety valve.”
Puck drop for Sunday’s contest is set for 1 p.m. at Schneider Rink.
More notes from around the rink…
History only means so much
The Terriers are 30-15-3 against the Friars all-time, but BU is just 9-12-2 on the road at Schneider Rink. In the playoffs, the Terriers are 3-0-0 against Providence.
Durocher does not put much stock in any of the previous matchups.
“Any which way, I always see that the next game as another game, and the next game is a new game,” he said. “The next game is the one you’ve got to win for all the right reasons.”
“Who makes it happen come Sunday afternoon is the biggest factor.”
Juggling the power play
BU has uncharacteristically struggled on the power play this season, scoring at a 10.5% clip, fourth-worst in the conference, and it appears as though they may be trying to find a spark by changing things up.
Durocher did not specify what the scheme or personnel changes on the advantage were, but says there has been a shift nonetheless.
“I would say without giving away too much information that there’s been a little bit of juggling, a little bit of moving some things around,” he said. “I continue to feel reasonably good about the body of work or the power play other than the ultimate result, and the ultimate result is getting the puck over the goal line.”
Durocher says BU needs to keep it simple on the power play, and focus on making the smart play, rather than committing an unforced error.
“those are things that are in our control,” he said. “I think we’ve been a little bit negligent or a little bit shy about delivering pucks to the net.”
“If we avoid giving pucks away, I think we can continue to put pressure on people and hopefully finish with a good shot or rebound or deflection.”
Time for freshmen to take the leap
BU has relied on a young defense group and young forwards in key roles to make contributions this season. As expected, there have been some growing pains at times.
However, Durocher knows those inexperienced Terriers will have to rely on their natural abilities more than ever now.
“I’m gonna remind them that they played this game for a long time, and that they’re good at it,” he said. “That’s all that we’re going to be looking for is you to play your game, you to make the the high percentage plays.”
“I’ll also try to talk to them about not being afraid to try to do something out there. Again, they’re here because they’re good players. And nothing says that a young kid can’t make a difference in a game, or do something special that can can help a team win.”
Who will take advantage of the extra year of eligibility?
The short answer? We don’t exactly know yet.
Northeastern senior goaltender Aerin Frankel, a top 10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, who has been quite a thorn in BU and the rest of the conference’s sides, said she will be taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted to NCAA athletes due to the pandemic.
Durocher said the team should have a better idea on which, if any, of the five seniors will use their fifth year once the season concludes.
“There’s been some conversations, but I think it’s one of those situations that when the season ends everybody will dive into it,” he said. “Right now our focus is on being the best team we can be here at Boston University.”
Featured Image: Junior forward and assistant captain Kaleigh Donnelly (12) celebrates with her team after scoring a goal in a game against Merrimack at Walter Brown Arena on Feb. 5, 2021. Photo by Patrick Donnelly.