Boston College Women’s Hockey was looking for a win in their final game of the regular season to clinch a home ice spot in the Hockey East tournament. But the Eagles just couldn’t get anything going against the New Hampshire Wildcats on Saturday afternoon, falling behind early and losing ground as the game wore on en route to a disappointing 5-1 loss up in Durham, NH.
The Eagles had a very slow start, and the Wildcats jumped ahead to a quick 1-0 lead just 3 minutes into the game. A BC penalty shortly after gave UNH a chance to double the lead, and they converted to make it 2-0 halfway through the first.
The Eagles were able to find themselves a goal against the run of play to make it 2-1 a few minutes later to keep the game within reach at the first intermission, but the second period was no better for BC as UNH pulled away. Two goals at the 5 and 10 minute marks of the frame made it 4-1 Wildcats into the second intermission, and with BC’s struggling offense, the three goal lead was plenty for UNH to sit on from there to take the win. The Wildcats tacked on another one in the third period for the 5-1 final, and that was that.
We’re awaiting some out of town scores, but it looks like the Eagles fortunately got some help from Boston University (ew) this weekend thanks to the Terriers likely sweeping UConn, but Providence looks as though they’re going to sweep lowly Holy Cross as expected to leapfrog the Eagles into third place. So the Eagles should claim the last home ice spot for the Hockey East tournament, earning the #4 seed. That will send UConn up to Conte Forum next weekend for a best of three series for the Hockey East quarterfinals.
We’ll have a tournament preview coming later in the week as the Eagles look to advance to the Hockey East semifinals.