Women’s Hockey: Terriers’ season ends at the hands of UConn in Hockey East Quarterfinals

By Sasha Abrams

STORRS, Conn. — The Boston University women’s hockey team ended their season in a 3-1 loss to third-seeded UConn in the quarterfinals of the Hockey East tournament on Saturday.

Senior forward Courtney Correia scored her 14th goal of the season just 43 seconds into play, and freshman goaltender Callie Shanahan made 23 saves.

UConn’s senior forward Morgan Wabick (one goal, one assist) shot into BU’s empty net at 18:51 of the third to close the game with a two-goal lead (23-8-4, 16-7-4 HE). 

“We had it right down to the end, got the goalie out, but just couldn’t quite execute, you know, at the level that we would’ve liked to to maybe tie it up,” BU head coach Brian Durocher said. 

The Terriers finish their season 12-5-6 and 11-9-5 in Hockey East. 

“What I take away on the positive side is that I feel like we have a foundation there with our goaltending and defense. A lot of experience returning in those areas” Durocher said. “Our biggest need is the offensive side of the game. We’ve got to retool a little bit, and develop people to be a little more confident.” 

BU came out firing in the first, scoring their lone goal 43 sseconds in with Correia making it in off her own rebound. The assists came from Terriers Catherine Foulem and Nadia Mattivi. 

https://twitter.com/TerrierWHockey/status/1497665429170384898

 The Huskies answered back shortly after at 12:47 in the first. Senior forward Viki Harkness (one goal, one assist) connected with sophomore forward Jada Habisch, who was ready in the slot, evening the game at 1-1. 

https://twitter.com/UConnWHOC/status/1497668190263861248

On the only power-play opportunity for UConn all night, Harkness posted in front of the Terriers goal to knock in the rebound of Wabick’s shot at 7:52 into the second to put the Huskies up 2-1.

https://twitter.com/UConnWHOC/status/1497677761342701569

The Huskies solidified the win with 1:09 left in the game after BU pulled their goalie with two minutes left. Senior forward Summer-Rae Dobson was able to deflect the puck from Terrier Correia in the neutral zone, leaving Wabick a chance at the open net.

https://twitter.com/UConnWHOC/status/1497693274542247938

 UConn outshot BU 26-16 and while the Huskies were able to capitalize on the power-play, the Terriers went 0-for-3 with a player advantage.  

 “We have to get our power-play in the right direction because we tried so many different combinations, people, even structurally tried some different things,” Durocher said. “But in the end, the execution of passing and receiving and shooting the puck was not done in a very good order.” 

The Huskies will advance to the Hockey East Semifinals to take place on Wednesday, March 2, with the championship to be held on Saturday, March 5. 

Featured Image by Joe Eachus