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BOSTON – For some, missing the playoffs is not an option and Patricia Gagnon showed why.
The freshman forward scored the game-winning goal with five seconds left as the University of Maine women’s hockey team defeated the Boston University Terriers 2-1 on Sunday afternoon in Hockey East play at Walter Brown Arena. In their first game against the Terriers, the Black Bears suffered a 2-1 defeat.
“The shot came in from the blue line and the puck hit Sonia (Corriveau),” Gagnon said. “I did not know there was five seconds left and I just tried to put the shot on net.”
UMaine’s win, accompanied with Connecticut’s 6-0 loss at New Hampshire, gives the Black Bears a two-point advantage for the last playoff spot heading into the last weekend of the season. If the Black Bears (16-7-6, 8-7-4) can earn a sweep against Boston College this weekend, they will win outright.
In the late stages of the third period, the Black Bears had witnessed the Terriers (12-16-4, 6-12-2) take another attempt at garnering a third period win similar to Saturday’s game. Then, with five seconds left, it was Corriveau who fed a pass from the corner to find Gagnon in front of net to give UMaine the lead.
As for the first game of the series, BU goalie Allyse Wilcox gave a stellar performance as the Terriers clawed back to defeat the Black Bears 2-1 on Saturday.
After the first two periods saw a 1-1 tie and a momentum change, the Terriers did not waste time as they looked to control the tempo of the game. More than four minutes in, BU was able to shield UMaine goalie Genevieve Turgeon as Stephanie Armstrong knocked in a loose puck to give the Terriers the 2-1 lead.
For the remainder of the period, the Terriers were able to defend all Maine attempts at a comeback. The Black Bears best opportunity came near the middle of the frame as they were able to force a 54-second 5-on-3 power play chance. During the two-man disadvantage, Wilcox stopped four shots.
Her biggest save came with less than five minutes left in the game.
As the Black Bears were looking to create in the neutral zone, forward Sonia Corriveau took possession of the puck and forced a breakaway. While she was blazing in on net, Wilcox read the forward as she stopped the shot to preserve the game.
“I think when you lead 1-0 and you go in the third period tied it can go either way,” said coach Guy Perron. “We did have our chances and it’s always hard to tie. No matter if you have been practicing those situations.”
“Its just a matter of getting the breaks. We missed our chances and they made theirs.”
Boston University’s first goal came in the second period. After seeing the Black Bears take a 1-0 lead in the previous period, captain Cara Hendry was able to poke the puck past Turgeon to tie the game. Similar to the eventual game-winner, the Terriers used a flurry of players to screen the puck and keep Turgeon guessing.
After the Hendry goal, the Terriers used the goal as a momentum changer when they look the lead in shots on goals after being outshot 13-2 in the first period.
The opening frame saw UMaine get a goal from Sheri Wauters. Wauters, who was in front of net when she scored the goal, was set-up by Patterson. Patterson, who was to the left of Wilcox in the corner, used a centering pass to find Wauters who gave UMaine the lead.
Despite the loss, the Black Bears won the season series 2-1 while outscoring BU 13-3.
