One minute into Saturday’s matchup between Boston College women’s hockey and Boston University, Gaby Roy had set the tone. The sophomore forward tapped in a shot-pass at the right post to score the game winner for BC almost before the game had begun.
“BC [versus] BU is never a hard game to get fired up for,” Roy said. “I think putting that one in early definitely set the tone and kind of got everyone riled up on the bench just to shut them down in the first period.”
BC (17–11, 14–8 Hockey East) scored two more unanswered goals and defeated the Terriers (10–11–5, 9–7–4) by a final score of 3–0 to split the Battle of Commonwealth Ave. after losing to BU earlier this season.
“Obviously, I thought that was a really good game for us,” head coach Katie Crowley said after the game. “I thought we played well in all facets of the game, offensively, defensively, [and in the] neutral zone.”
Defensively, the Eagles were disciplined all night. BC goaltender Abigail Levy kept a clean sheet, recording 32 saves for her first shutout of the season.
“It’s all credit to my team,” Levy said. “I think we’re playing some of the best hockey games we’ve played all year. … I wouldn’t be able to get that shutout without all those players who blocked those shots and protected me down low.”
Both teams struggle to convert on power-play opportunities in the second and third periods. Both defenses shut down their opponents’ offense when down a man, and neither team converted in their combined five power plays in the final two periods.
Thirteen minutes into the second period, while at even strength, Abby Newhook scored off a no-look pass from Kelly Browne to put the Eagles up 2–0 heading into the final frame.
Roy scored her second goal of the game in the third period, giving the Eagles a three-goal lead.
“I just ended up being alone in front of the net,” Roy said. “Kind of like right place, right time. … Crashing the net has been successful for us this year, so I kind of just keep doing that, and it’s been working for our team.”
The Terriers dominated other areas of the stat sheet, finishing the game with 52 shots compared to BC’s 40, and 32 shots on goal compared to the Eagles’ 30.
The win puts the Eagles on a seven-game win streak, the longest they’ve had this season, and BC will look to extend the streak as it faces Harvard in the Beanpot final on Feb. 8.
“I’m really happy with the way we played and with the weekend overall,” Crowley said. “Those are two huge league games for us, and we found a way to finish in the middle of the Beanpot and at an exciting time.”
Featured Image by Caroline Cannon / Heights Staff
