Women’s Hockey: Terriers Host Home Series vs. Maine

By Sasha Abrams 

Boston University Women’s Hockey (6-10-0, 5-7-0 HE) will host the University of Maine (9-10-0, 6-6-0 HE) for a home series beginning on Friday. Maine is currently sixth in the Hockey East standings, while BU is right behind them in seventh. 

The last time the Terriers faced the Black Bears was a road game on Feb. 15, with BU claiming the 3-2 overtime win. Since 2006, the two teams have met 54 times, with BU holding an overall record of 32-19-3. 

BU is coming off two losses from the Henderson Collegiate Hockey Showcase on Thanksgiving weekend: A 2-0 defeat to No.5 Yale and another 2-0 loss to No.12 Penn State. With no Terriers earning a point over the weekend, senior forward Julia Nearis remains the team leader with six goals, eight assists and 14 points.  

BU graduate goaltender Andrea Brändli is 4-5-0 after her 30-save performance on Friday against Yale. She holds a .943 save percentage and a 1.89 goals against average with two shutouts in 11 games. Sophomore goaltender Callie Shanahan started in net in Saturday’s competition and owns a 2-5-0 record with a .905 save percentage and a 3.28 goals against average in seven games.

The Black Bears are coming off a split weekend against Clarkson University with an 8-1 loss on Friday and a bounce-back Saturday night in a 5-4 overtime win.

Fifth-year forward Grace Heiting leads the team in goals (7) and points (13). Freshman forward Lilli Welcke leads the Black Bears with nine assists.

In net for the Black Bears is freshman goaltender Brooklyn Oakes, who is 4-5-0 with a .905 save percentage and a 2.79 goals against average with two shutouts through 11 games.

The next time Maine plays at their home arena is also the next time the Black Bears will face the Terriers later this season on Jan. 20. Maine’s record on the road is 3-4 while BU’s record at home is also 3-4. 

The puck is set to drop in Walter Brown Arena Friday at 7 p.m., and again in Walter Brown Saturday at 3 p.m.