BU Takes On Northeastern in Midweek Contest
January 25, 2010 | Women's Ice Hockey
Jan. 25, 2010
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BOSTON -
The Boston University women's ice hockey team (10-7-8, 6-5-3-2) takes on cross-town rival Northeastern (16-5-3, 8-4-3-2 for the first time this season in a Tuesday night showdown at Matthews Arena. The Terriers enter the game in fourth place in Hockey East while the Huskies sit in second, just one point behind league-leading Providence.
The Terriers have traditionally fared well against the Huskies as BU holds a 12-3-1 edge in the all-time series. BU has outscored NU 54-29 in 16 games and holds a 2-1 edge in shutouts as well. BU recorded its first-ever playoff win in their last game against Northeastern, downing the Huskies 2-1 in the first round of the 2009 Hockey East Tournament at Walter Brown Arena. Gina Kearns scored a goal in the first period to get the Terriers on the board and after the Huskies evened the score in the second, Jenelle Kohanchuk potted the game-winner on an unassisted effort in the third. BU goalie Allyse Wilcox stopped 22 shots in the win.
In its last game, the Boston University women's ice hockey team bounced back after a tough overtime loss to Vermont to down the Catamounts, 3-2, Saturday afternoon at Gutterson Fieldhouse.Holding a 2-1 lead heading into the third period, the Terriers gave themselves a bit of breathing room as Laurel Koller converted assists from Lauren Cherewyk and Jillian Kirchner to grab a 3-1 lead with 7:49 left to play. Vermont's Emily Welch answered right back, drawing the hosts back within one just nine seconds later, but the Terriers were able to hold tight for the rest of the game to preserve the 3-2 win.
Freshman goalie Alissa Fromkin recorded the first win of her collegiate career, stopping 17 shots for the Terriers. Vermont goalie Kristen Olychuck recorded 16 saves in the loss.
While Jenelle Kohanchuk still holds the team lead in goals with 12 on the season, Melissa Anderson is the team point leader, entering the Northeastern game with 25 (11g, 14a) on the season. Junior Jillian Kirchner is tied with Anderson for the team lead in assists with 14 and classmate Lauren Cherewyk is close behind with 12 on the year. Defenseman Kasey Boucher leads all Terriers with a +12 rating on the year. Goalie Melissa Haber enters Tuesday's game with a .917 save percentage to go along with her 2.27 goals-against average.
The Huskies have enjoyed one of their strongest seasons to date in their 2009-10 campaign, compiling 16 wins on the year and entering the BU matchup ranked No. 8 in the nation. Northeastern is riding a five-game unbeaten streak, dating back to Jan. 11 when it took down Boston College in a 7-4 slugfest.
This past weekend, the Huskies took two from Niagara on its home ice, skating away with a 2-1 win on Saturday and a 6-2 win on Sunday. Rachel Llanes netted her fourth goal on Saturday to start the scoring for NU and Katy Applin's first tally of the season proved to be the game-winner in the 3rd period. The Huskies jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead on Sunday thanks to goals from Kristi Kehoe, Annie Hogan and Casey Pickett. Lindsay Berman and Pickett added second period tallies and Llanes capped the scoring with a third-period score.
Kehoe has been the offensive leader for NU throughout the 2009-10 season, leading the team in goals (11), assists (12) and points (23). Alyssa Wohlfeiler and Pickett are close behind with 10 goals each on the season and Hogan has the second highest assist total on the team with 11. Northeastern's goalie tandem of Florence Schelling and Leah Sulyma has been the key to the team's success this season as Schelling boasts a 1.35 goals-against average and .950 save percentage while Sulyma has a 1.40 GAA on the year along with a .959 save percentage.
The Terriers face off against Connecticut in their next game, hosting the UConn Huskies on Friday, Jan. 29 in a 7 p.m. game, before facing Northeastern in the first round of the Beanpot Tournament in Feb. 2.
