After 10-straight Hockey East matchups, Boston College women’s hockey will face off against Harvard in just its fourth game against an unranked, non-conference opponent this year. The No. 2 Eagles (19-2-3, 13-1-3 Hockey East) are coming off of a weekend series against another Beantown rival, Northeastern—one that started with BC dropping its second game of the season and ended with head coach Katie Crowley’s team pulling out a triumphant overtime victory. Harvard (8-7-1, 6-5-1 ECAC), meanwhile, has lost four of its last 10 games and will be looking to avoid a four-game losing streak against a BC team it has not beaten since the end of the 2014-15 season.
Who is BC playing?
Harvard
When is BC playing?
Thursday, Jan. 16, 7 p.m.
Where is BC playing?
Kelley Rink, Chestnut Hill, Mass.
How to Watch:
The game will be livestreamed on ESPN3 and available online at WatchESPN.
By the Numbers:
BC:
1) Goaltender Katie Burt has allowed a power-play goal in three-straight games and posted an uncharacteristically low save percentage of .857 in the weekend series against Northeastern.
2) Caitrin Lonergan and Daryl Watts have both recorded a point in 14-straight games.
3) The Eagles have won 13 of their past 18 games against Harvard.
Harvard:
1) Freshmen Becca Gilmore and Brooke Jovanovich have combined for 30 points this season.
2) The Crimson have lost their last three games, including two against top 10 teams: No. 4 Colgate and No. 6 Cornell.
3) Harvard’s top-five goal scorers are all underclassmen, led by sophomore Kat Hughes, who has found twine nine times this year.
Last Meeting:
The Eagles blew out Harvard, 8-1, while on the road in a Nov. 22 matchup. Makenna Newkirk and Caitrin Lonergan tallied three points each as 12 different Eagles notched at least one goal or assist. BC sandwiched the Crimson by scoring the first and last four goals of the game.
BC wins if…
It lets chances come to itself rather than forcing difficult opportunities. As a heavy favorite, the Eagles simply need to play their game to come away with a win. While Burt has dealt with high-flying offenses in recent games, she shouldn’t face too much of a test against a Crimson team without a double-digit goal scorer. BC’s seven-goal victory against Harvard earlier this season came on the road, so a rematch on home ice means the Eagles have no excuse not to win their second-straight game.
BC loses if…
Disaster strikes. Frankly, the Crimson pale in comparison to what the Eagles have had to face all season long. To stay in the game, Harvard will need to get past Burt early and often—something Northeastern was able to do last weekend. Furthermore, it cannot let BC get on the power play. With a penalty kill percentage of just 80.3, the Crimson will need to play disciplined hockey to beat the No. 2 team in the country.
Featured Image by Julia Hopkins / Heights Editor
