Nov. 20, 2011
Box Score | K. Lachapelle Postgame Comments
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Freshman forward Kayla Tutino scored her second game-winner in as many games to push the fifth-ranked Boston University women's hockey team past Providence College, 3-2, on Sunday afternoon at Schneider Arena.
Tutino gave BU (9-4-1, 4-1-0 WHEA) both its leads, but it was her power play tally with just 7:17 remaining in regulation that sealed the Terriers' third straight win and just their second-ever win over Providence (6-7-3, 5-3-1 WHEA) at Schneider Arena.
Senior captain Jenn Wakefield notched a goal and added an assist and classmate Tara Watchorn had her second straight two-assist effort to help pace the Terrier offense. Sophomore goaltender Kerrin Sperry was fantastic between the pipes, as she made 33 saves, including 26 in the first two periods.
Sperry was sharp early and got unlucky to allow the Friars' first goal. After Providence forced a turnover in the BU zone, Sperry made two nice saves on the right post before the puck bounced out to the slot, where Ashley Cottrell was waiting to score into the empty net.
BU responded well after giving up the goal, however, and the Terriers had two consecutive shifts where they pinned Providence in its own zone. With the aggressive pressure came three trips to the penalty box in the first frame for BU, but its top ranked penalty kill in the nation was fantastic, holding Providence to just five shots over the six minutes of penalty time, including 24 seconds of 5-on-3 time.
While shorthanded, the Terriers nearly scored on a number of occasions, including a breakaway chance by Louise Warren right off the opening draw of the first power play. Warren had another chance sail high during the 5-on-3 disadvantage. Wakefield, Tutino and junior forward Isabel Menard also played major roles in stifling the Friars' power play.
Wakefield tied the game with a booming slap shot from the top of the . The play developed when senior defenseman Tara Watchorn collected the puck in the corner of her own zone and sent it up the left wing to Tutino. The freshman forward tried to chip it forward, but her first attempt was blocked. On the second attempt she got the puck to Wakefield, who was flying up the middle. The Pickering, Ont., native collected the puck and walked it to the top of the offensive zone before she fired a booming slap shot past Genevieve Lacasse (25 saves) for her 10th goal of the season.
Tutino gave BU a 2-1 lead with a beautiful redirection. Wakefield was in the right corner and pushed the puck up the wall to redshirt freshman Caroline Campbell at the right point. Campbell sent a shot towards goal and Tutino, who was stationed between the circles, got her stick on it and deflected it to the empty right side of the cage for her eighth goal of the season.
While the offense was on display for the Terriers in the second stanza, Sperry was once again spot on between the pipes. She turned aside 14 shots in the middle frame, including a huge save on a Cottrell breakaway with the game still tied, 1-1.
Cottrell struck again for the Friars early in the third period to tie the game. With her team shorthanded, Cottrell forced a turnover in the BU zone and wristed the puck through Sperry's pads to tie the game, 2-2.
Providence nearly took a 3-2 lead when Abby Gauthier forced a turnover in the BU zone and got a point blank shot on Sperry. The sophomore goaltender was in perfect position however, to make the save. The Friars thought the puck might have crept through Sperry's pads and across the goal line, but video review confirmed that she did indeed make the save.
Tutino's game-winner came just 10 seconds after the Terriers went on the power play. Wakefield took the puck off the draw and fired a shot on goal that Lacasse saved. Menard picked up the rebound on the left post and pushed the puck across the crease to Watchorn, who then poked it to Tutino on the top of the crease. The Lorraine, Que., native knocked it past Lacasse for the 3-2 lead.
The Terriers finished the game strong as they kept Lacasse from getting off the ice in favor of an extra attacker by forcing the puck deep and bottling up passing lanes in the neutral zone. It was an excellent effort by the defense, both at even strength and on the penalty kill, as BU quashed all six power play attempts it faced.
BU will be back in action for a weekend series on Friday and Saturday, as the Terriers travel to Ithaca, N.Y. for a rematch of their NCAA Semifinal game with Cornell. Puck drop on Friday is scheduled for 7 p.m., with a 4 p.m. start slated for Saturday.
