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The Black Bear women’s hockey team traveled to Boston University this past weekend for a two-game set against the prominent conference rival. On Saturday they battled to a 1-1 tie, and on Sunday UMaine fell just short in a 4-3 loss. UMaine fell to 1-7-3 in Hockey East, while the Terriers moved to 5-5-1.
Coming off a big win last weekend against Northeastern, UMaine was looking to keep the momentum rolling on Saturday afternoon and brought the intensity right from the start. A checking penalty on the Black Bears gave BU an opening, and they seized the opportunity. Twenty seconds into the power play, Jullian Kirchner broke through and put a shot past UMaine’s Genevieve Turgeon to give the Terriers an early lead. It was Kirchner’s fifth goal of the season. Sarah Russell and Sarah Appleton each added an assist on the play. UMaine battled hard and the period ended without any additional scoring, but the Black Bears were out-shot 19-1.
UMaine came out inspired in the second period and played a completely different game. They matched the efforts of their opponent and were rewarded with just over two minutes remaining. First-year Jennie Gallo was able to slip a shot past the Terrier goalie off an assist from Amy Stech. It was Gallo’s fifth goal on the year. Maine also took the shot advantage for the period, 10-9.
By the third period, each team had a good feel for the other. The Terriers were able to outshoot the Black Bears 12-8, but good defense on both sides kept the scored tied 1-1. In overtime, the Black Bears kept the intensity up, but a costly penalty with just over a minute remaining forced them to back off the pressure. The defense held up, and the game ended in a tie, the first of such an occurrence between the teams. UMaine’s Turgeon completed a spectacular game, stopping 45 of 46 shots on the day, while BU’s Allyse Wilcox had 19 saves.
The following afternoon, the two teams squared off again in a grudge match. Neither squad gave an inch through the entire first period until the Terriers took advantage of a power play with 37 seconds remaining. Just before the penalty ran out, Laurel Koller snuck a shot past UMaine’s Turgeon to move BU out in front. Melissa Anderson and Appleton each notched an assist on the goal. The teams were knotted at 10 shots apiece in the period.
BU doubled their lead 7:13 into the second period. Stringing a few passes together, the team pushed the puck to Gina Kearns, who found the back of the net. The Terriers struck again midway through the period when Lauren Cherewyk scored off of assists from Kearns and Kirchner.
Down 3-0, UMaine knew they had to respond quickly if they were to have a chance in this game. With 5:14 remaining, they did just that. After receiving a pass from Gallo, third-year Vanessa Vani fired a shot that found the back of the net. UMaine still trailed 3-1 by the end of the period but had out-shot BU 13-11 and stolen a bit of momentum.
The Black Bears continued their comeback six minutes into the third. Vani notched another point with an assist to second-year Taryn Peacock, who scored her fifth goal of the season.
Both teams kept the pressure up, but UMaine still trailed 3-2 with under a minute remaining. To gain an extra attacker the Black Bears pulled their goalie, but the maneuver proved to be unsuccessful. Caroline Bourdeau buried the empty-netter with 32 seconds remaining. UMaine wasn’t ready to give up yet. The intensity provided by an extra attacker led to Abby Barton breaking through and scoring with 11 seconds left. The puck stopped there for the Black Bears, and the clock ran out with the Terriers in front 4-3.
Vani had a huge game for Maine, notching a goal and two assists, while Turgeon had another productive night with 23 saves. Her weekend efforts were recognized when she was named Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week, the fifth time she’s received the honor this season.
The Black Bears have a huge weekend coming up, as they’ll take on rival New Hampshire in a two-game set at the Alfond Arena. Saturday’s game will kick off at 7 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon match up.
Bangor Daily News