Women’s Hockey: McGuigan’s 34 saves not enough in Beanpot consolation loss to Northeastern
By Sasha Abrams
BOSTON — The Boston University Terriers were unable to solve Northeastern goaltender Gwyneth Philips in the consolation game of the 43rd annual Beanpot, resulting in a 3-0 shutout by the Huskies. Fifth-year forward Maureen Murphy bagged her second hat trick of the season, scoring all three goals for Northeastern.
With 34 saves, senior goaltender Nicole McGuigan made her first career start for the Terriers (10-12-5, 9-7-4 HE), but the loss was a consequence of the lack of offense produced from BU, who were outshot by Northeastern, 37-14.
“We were facing a real real top team,” BU head coach Brian Durocher said. “I think our kids continued to, you know, battle, continued to fight, but sometimes you have to get that goal to kind of change the complexion of the game, change the momentum, and that’s the thing that’s really been a tough out for us all year.”
Capitalizing on two out of five power plays, No. 5 Northeastern (23-4-1, 17-3-1 HE) now leads the NCAA in power play goals with 31. Given six opportunities tonight and coming out empty, BU still hasn’t scored a power play goal since the calendar flipped to 2022.
Between the two teams, Northeastern was first to get a power play opportunity at 11:15 in the first period. Just 40 seconds later, Murphy scored for the Huskies from in front of the net. Murphy was assisted by fifth-year defender Skylar Fontaine and fifth-year forward Maddie Mills to put Northeastern up 1-0.
BU still hadn’t found the net by the start of the second, but was up 8-4 in shots. The middle stanza only offered the Terriers two more chances at a goal, while NU found 14.
At 7:16 Murphy brought the Huskies to a two-goal lead with a backhand shot past McGuigan, securing Northeastern a 2-0 lead going into the third.
BU opened the last period with a penalty 47 seconds in, and less than two minutes later Murphy had her hat trick. From behind the net to make it 3-0, Murphy was assisted by Fontaine, who earned her second point of the night and 33rd of the season (five goals, 28 assists), right behind Murphy who now claims 38 points (20 goals,18 assists).
Durocher wasn’t surprised with Murphy’s performance: “She is a great player, has been a great player…when you have speed, you have hands and oh, by the way, you shoot the puck extremely well.”
Neither team was happy to be playing for third place, but the Huskies ultimately brought the better game on their home ice. Northeastern beat BU 27-15 on face-offs and was able to kill all six of BU’s power plays. However, the Terriers still fought it out until the very end, coming close to scoring halfway through the third with a great shot by junior forward Julia Nearis (four goals, 12 assists) that didn’t make it across the line due to a save by Phillips.
The Terriers will have another chance to regain their confidence on the home team’s turf, with a weekend series against the Vermont Catamount. The puck is set to drop at Gutterson Fieldhouse at 2 p.m. on Friday and again at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Featured Image: Junior forward Julia Nearis tries to shoot during a 3-0 loss to Northeastern in the Beanpot consolation game at Matthews Arena on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. Photo by Carolyn Mooney.