Women’s Hockey: Terriers looking to hold on to their top spot in Hockey East standings today against Providence

Featured image by Spirit Veron

By Stevie Potter

Boston University Women’s Ice Hockey (19-9-1, 16-5-1 HE) is looking for a bounce-back win today against the Providence College Friars (17-9-3, 13-7-2 HE) after falling 3-1 to the University of Connecticut Huskies less than 24 hours ago. 

“I think Providence has had a really good run recently and they’ve been hot, so being able to play them again after it’s been a while will be really good going into playoffs,” Julia Shaunessy said. “I think it’s so fun to play teams so many months apart because they change so much about their game.”

The last time the Terriers faced off with the Friars was at the beginning of November, and BU swept the weekend series, winning Friday’s game 5-1 and Saturday’s tilt 3-2. 

Following their loss last night, the Terriers sit atop the Hockey East standings with just a one-point lead. With UConn playing a Hockey East matchup of their own tonight, the Terriers must secure a win against Providence if they want to hold onto that position. 

Providence has a pair of aces up its sleeve in forwards Audrey Knapp and Reichen Kirchmair. Both players have 29 points in 29 games played, making them both statistically likely to get on the scoreboard in some capacity this afternoon. Both Knapp and Kirchmair scored against the Terriers in their weekend series back in November. 

On the Terriers’ bench, the Friars will have to compete with their former teammate, forward Lindsay Bochna. Bochna is third on the Terriers in points with 15, having recorded one of those points against Providence earlier this season. 

Another threat on BU’s side this afternoon will be forward Neely Nicholson. While Nicholson only has five points on the season, she scored a short-handed goal against the Friars back in November and has been heating back up as of late, with a goal last night against UConn to break her 10-game no-point streak.  

Puck drop for this Hockey East matchup will take place at 4 p.m. in Walter Brown Arena in Boston, MA. Steaming for the game will be available on ESPN+, and radio coverage will be available via WTBU Sports on Mixlr.