Over the course of the past six games, Boston College women’s hockey has outscored its opponents, 18-5, conceding one goal or less in each of those contests. Had it not been for Holy Cross goalkeeper Julia Pelletier’s 51 saves on Friday night, that scoring margin would be even more lopsided. The Eagles outshot the Crusaders, 56-19, in the teams’ first-ever meeting and made a home for themselves in the Holy Cross zone. BC exploded for four goals in the second period, all but putting the game to bed before the final frame. The Eagles’ 5-1 victory was their third in Hockey East play this season and served as a reminder that the conference still runs through head coach Katie Crowley’s crew.
Eying its seventh-consecutive victory, No. 6 BC (6-2, 3-0 Hockey East) will travel to Maine (6-1, 2-1) on Sunday afternoon to play a Black Bears team that is off to its best start in program history. Maine has only lost to Northeastern—the second-ranked team in USCHO’s Hockey East Preseason Poll—this season. That game aside, the Black Bears are outscoring their opponents, 28-5. Sunday will undoubtedly be Maine’s biggest test of the season, though, considering that the Eagles swept the season series between the teams last year and are 36-16-6 against the Black Bears all-time.
Who is BC playing?
Maine
Where is BC playing?
Alfond Arena, Orono, Maine
When is BC playing?
Sunday, Oct. 28, 2 p.m.
How to Watch:
The game will be livestreamed on GoBlackBears.com.
By the Numbers:
BC:
1) During their six-game win streak, the Eagles have conceded one goal or less in every contest—the program’s longest such streak since the 2015-16 campaign.
2) Thirteen different BC skaters have registered a point this season, 11 of which have found the back of the net.
3) The Eagles’ scoring attack is a three-headed monster made up of Daryl Watts, Caitrin Lonergan, and Lindsay Agnew—all of whom have tallied four goals this year.
Maine:
1) The Black Bears are averaging four goals per game—2.9 more than their opponents—and have recorded three shutouts this season.
2) Eight different Maine skaters have logged five or more points this fall. Tereza Vanisova leads the way with 27 shots, six goals, and three assists.
3) The Black Bears have bounced back and forth between two goaltenders this season. Loryn Porter has gotten the nod four times, and Carly Jackson started the other three games. Both are currently allowing 1.67 goals or less per game.
Last Meeting:
The teams last met on Feb. 17, 2018. BC scattered a trio of goals across three periods, thanks to Erin Connolly, Caitrin Lonergan, and Ryan Little. Katie Burt posted 30 saves, holding the then-No. 10 Black Bears to just one goal. The Eagles’ 3-1 victory wrapped up the 2018-19 regular season, as BC improved to 8-1 against ranked opponents on the year.
Outlook:
Now more than ever, Maine has the offensive weapons and depth to compete with the Eagles. That said, it will take a whole lot to upend a BC defense that has been playing lights out in front of netminder Maddy McArthur. The Black Bears have scored first in four of their past five games. Getting off to a fast start could very well threaten the Eagles’ unbeaten streak. After all, at the start of the year, BC had to stitch together a pair of comeback wins against then-No. 10 St. Lawrence after dropping back-to-back games to Minnesota Duluth. But given the way BC’s been moving the puck offensively, Maine might have to be more concerned with keeping Watts, Agnew, Lonergan, and Makenna Newkirk in check.
Featured Image by Kaitlin Meeks / Heights Editor
