Women’s Hockey: Terriers set to host the Princeton Tigers in Thanksgiving Eve matchup
Featured image by Spirit Veron
By Stevie Potter
No. 13 Boston University Women’s Ice Hockey (10-4-1, 8-2-1 HE) is looking to add another item to its list of things to be thankful for. Before the holiday break, they’ll have one last showdown on Thanksgiving Eve.
The Terriers will take on the Princeton University Tigers (5-5-0. 3-5-1 ECAC) at 2 p.m. today in what has been appropriately named Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day at Agganis Arena.
BU and Princeton have only met a handful of times over the years, with the Terriers being 6-3-1 against the Tigers.
These two programs last met in 2017 for a New Year’s Eve match-up that ended in a 1-1 tie. The lone goal in that game for the Terriers was scored by none other than Assistant Coach Reagan Rust.
Fourteen years ago to the day was the last time BU and Princeton played each other at Agganis Arena. BU earned a 2-1 victory, with one of those goals coming courtesy of Head Coach Tara Watchorn.
So, despite this being the first time in seven years that these two clubs have faced off, BU has some experience behind the bench in scoring against the Tigers. Namely in Rust, who played Princeton against Cara Morey’s, their current head coach, first year at the helm.
The Terriers have excelled recently in special teams. They currently lead Hockey East in powerplay goals with nine and their penalty kill is ranked second in the conference at 93%.
These stats, particularly the PK, are helpful when playing the Tigers. Princeton forward Sarah Paul scored her first hat trick earlier this season, with all three goals scored on the powerplay.
“Excited for playing an offensive team with great offensive production, great powerplay,” Watchorn said. “It’s going to test our defense, it’s going to test our D-zone, it’s going to test our PK.”
The Terriers will also have to shut down senior Issy Wunder, who leads the Tigers in points with 17 and is +10. Wunder also scored the overtime game-winner in Princeton’s latest win against No. 5 Colgate.
BU will have to rely on freshmen and seniors alike if they want to defeat the Tigers.
Freshman forward Lola Reid continues to shine for the Terriers, she leads the team with 13 points and is currently +11.
Another key player for BU will be senior forward Christina Vote. Vote has been a major part of BU’s play-making ability this season, and she currently has 12 assists to show for it. She leads Hockey East in assists per game (.80) and is ranked 12th in the country.
The game will be available for streaming on ESPN+, and as always, full game recaps and photo galleries will be available here on WTBU Sports.