Women’s Hockey: Bochna faces former teammates in weekend series against Providence

Featured image by Joe Eachus

By Joe Eachus

A homecoming, a defensive battle, and a three-time rookie of the week are all on tap this weekend.

Boston University women’s ice hockey (6-3-0, 4-1-0 HEA) returns to Hockey East play on Friday, taking on the Providence College Friars (5-3-0, 2-2-0 HEA) in a home-and-home series.

Graduate forward Lindsay Bochna faces her former team for the first time after transferring in the offseason. A four-year Friar, she had 62 points in 120 career games with Providence and was the team’s offensive player of the year for ‘23-’24.

“What a professional this young woman is,” coach Tara Watchorn said of Bochna. “There’s no ‘we’ve got to beat them…’ So even-keeled, and that leadership you’re seeing through-and-through. She’s excited, and for all the right reasons.”

Bochna has scored one goal and added an assist in seven games so far for the Terriers.

Both BU and Providence have also excelled so far on the back end, with just 1.7 and 1.5 goals against per game, respectively, largely in part due to the stellar play they’ve had between the pipes.

BU’s Callie Shanahan sports a 1.06 GAA and .960 save percentage in six games (4-2-0), while Providence’s Hope Walinski has been equally impressive with a 1.72 GAA and .938 save percentage in seven games (4-3-0).

“It’s going to be a good test, for sure,” Watchorn said. “This is a chance to put [our game] to the test. We’re going to have to create those quality looks against a team that plays hard. It’ll be a good way to see if we can have that come to fruition.”

Lola Reid, once again Hockey East Rookie of the Week, has been one of the brightest spots for the Terriers so far this season. With a three-goal weekend in her back pocket, including her first multi-goal effort, she carried much of the offensive load for BU in the sweep against Syracuse last weekend.

“We talk about [Lola] a lot. We knew [she] always had the ability to score goals. The consistency she’s been able to perform with… the maturity that she’s brought, and leadership, contributing to our environment every day has been pleasantly surprising to see,” Watchorn added.

The team’s camaraderie early on has also been a pleasant surprise for Watchorn. The two longest road trips are in the rear-view mirror (Minnesota and Syracuse), and the Terriers took advantage of the time together.

“This past weekend [‘s trip] came at the perfect time,” Watchorn said. “Get out of the city, go to the middle of nowhere, and just be a team together. The environment they’re creating, it’s ‘do we enjoy each other with no one around?’ I personally enjoy a good bus trip, they’re probably annoyed with me by the end of it, but all those funny things that start to happen and become a ‘thing,’ that’s starting to happen.”

BU hosts Providence at Agganis Arena on Friday, with puck drop scheduled for 3 p.m. A trip down I-95 follows, with puck drop on Saturday set for 3 p.m. at Schneider Arena in Providence. Both games will stream on ESPN+.