Boston University
Providence
Third-Period Goals Sink Terriers at Providence, 4-3
January 31, 2008 | Women's Ice Hockey
Jan. 31, 2008
Providence, R.I. - The Boston University women's ice hockey team dropped a 4-3 decision against Providence Thursday at Schneider Arena, surrendering two third-period scores against their conference rival in the first game of a home-and-home series. Freshmen Holly Lorms and Jillian Kirchner and sophomore Sarah Appleton each scored for the Terriers, marking the ninth time in ten games Kirchner has notched a point. Appleton also assisted on Kirchner's third-period goal.
The Terriers (8-12-3, 5-6-1 HE) quickly built a two goal lead midway through the first period, as both Lorms and Appleton tallied goals within a 50 second span. Several of the issues that plagued BU in the last meeting between these teams, during which Providence (12-10-3, 7-3-2 HE) dropped the Terriers 3-1, seemed to be solved. While the Friars scored two one-timers from the blue line in the last game, BU played the defensemen tight in Thursday's match-up, blocking Providence shots with regularity. The Terriers also improved their quick shots in the zone, as Lorms played a save into a score in the first period.
Providence adjusted their game in the second period though, firing off more short range shots and putting pressure on sophomore goaltender Melissa Haber. Each of the Friars' second-period scores were launched from just outside the crease, limiting Haber's reaction time. The trend continued in the third frame, as both goals were fired off at close range, just outside the crease.
Lorms got the Terriers on the board at 8:56 of the first period with her first goal since a two-score performance Nov. 7 against Quinnipiac. Junior Laurel Koller found junior Amanda Shaw open on the goaltender's stick side. Shaw placed a shot on goal, which Friar Danielle Ciarletta repelled, but Lorms collected the rebound and wristed a shot home on the netminder's glove side.
Lending Providence little time to regroup, Appleton struck less than a minute later with a score of her own, playing a pass from junior Kelley Karnan at the right circle and sending it into the net with 9:48 left on the clock in the first period.
The Friars got on the board in the second period, as the Terriers had trouble clearing the puck out of their zone. BU had several chances to evade trouble, but had difficulty moving through traffic. After losing possession on one attempt, junior Mari Pehkonen gathered the puck on the right side of goal and sent a centering pass to freshman Jean O'Neill. O'Neill sent a shot towards Haber's stick side, going just under the netminder's reach and into goal at 3:58 of the first period.
Providence tied things up midway through the second period, knotting the game at 2-2 at 11:06 of the first period. With no defenders between senior Kathleen Smith and Haber, the defenseman rocketed a shot past the netminder and into goal.
Haber made a great save to retain the tie with 1:42 remaining in the second period, as junior Katy Beach sped down the boards and evaded a Terrier defender. Beach closed in towards goal and fired a shot at Haber's five-hole, but the goaltender closed up and made the save between her pads.
O'Neill scored the go-ahead goal for the Friars at 18:31 of the first period, as Providence found Haber off balance after circling behind the net. The Friars missed a shot wide off the net, but freshman Alyse Ruff collected the puck and skated behind the net. Just after round the corner on Haber's glove side, Ruff centered a pass to O'Neill, who notched her second goal of the game.
Charging the net paid off for the Terriers later in the period, as freshman Lauren Cherewyk received a pass from Appleton on the right goalpost and blasted a crossing pass to Kirchner. While speeding in towards goal, Kirchner found the puck with her sick and slapped it in to tie the game once again. With the score, Kirchner has now tallied points in nine of the past ten games, including goals in three of the last four.
Sophomore Jonnie Bloemers had an opportunity to put the Terriers ahead with 9:30 remaining in the game, as a shot rebounded off Ciarletta's pads and fell into the crease, as the netminder was sprawled on her side. Bloemers charged into the crease, but was pushed out by a Friar defender before she could get a stick on it.
Providence pulled ahead for good at 14:09 of the third period, getting a shot off before Haber could shift sides inside the goal. Smith scored her second goal of the game, crossing in front of goal and spinning around a Terrier defender before slotting a shot on the goaltender's stick side.
BU will get their third and final chance of the season against Providence Saturday, Feb. 2 at Walter Brown Arena at 3:00 p.m. It will be a final tune-up for the Terriers before opening Beanpot Tournament competition against Boston College Feb. 5 at 8:00 p.m. The tournament will be played at Walter Brown Arena for the first time since 1982.
