Women’s Hockey: Terriers swept by Gophers in weekend series
By Lydia Murray
Boston University Women’s Ice Hockey (1-2-0, 1-0-0 HE) fell to the No. 2 University of Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-0-0, 0-0-0 WCHA) on Sunday afternoon, 5-2 to conclude the season series.
BU had a better start, landing an equal amount of shots on goal to Minnesota (six) and winning seven of 18 faceoffs. During Friday’s opening frame, Minnesota dominated both shots on goal (5-1) and faceoffs (14-4).
However, the scoreboard did not reflect the Terriers’ better start, with Gopher Peyton Hemp firing one past BU goaltender Mari Pieterson with just over four minutes remaining. It was the first even-strength goal the Terriers had allowed this season, ending the streak at 135:55, which was their longest to open a season in program history.
Minnesota started the second period hot with four shots in the first three minutes, although only one got to Pieterson. BU looked like they had a chance to rally back when first-year Gopher Chloe Primerano took a roughing penalty at 5:16. However, 41 seconds later, the Terriers began a penalty parade that saw them go to the box three times in under five minutes.
Luckily for BU, Pieterson and the penalty kill were up to the task. Then, a few minutes after the parade ended, Terrier Lilli Welcke got her first of the season to tie the game at one with the help of first-year forward Lola Reid at 13:05.
Nevertheless, 61 seconds later, Gopher Abbey Murphy chipped a penalty shot over Pieterson to retake the lead after getting slashed on a breakaway, marking Minnesota’s first successful penalty shot in 12 years (Nicole Haase).
Things continued to get away from the Terriers when Gopher Ella Huber tacked on another goal at 17:10. After another failed BU power play, the team headed back to the locker room, with Minnesota leading 3-1 and outshooting the Terriers 19-12.
The wheels looked like they were about to completely come off for BU when the Gophers scored just 27 seconds in the final frame.
However, under two minutes later, Terrier Riley Walsh got one past Minnesota netminder Hannah Clark to bring her team back within two. It was Walsh’s first goal as a Terrier after transferring from Union College, where she spent the past two seasons.
Unfortunately, that was where the good times ended for BU. Just 64 later, Gopher defender Nelli Laitinen restored her team’s three-goal lead and capped off the scoring. Minnesota controlled the rest of the game, outshooting the Terriers 7-2 in the period and winning 10 of 14 faceoffs.
BU will be back in action on Friday when they take on the Northeastern University Huskies at 7 p.m. for a home-and-home weekend series. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ live from Matthews Arena.