GOAL BY GOAL: BC Women’s Hockey Advances To Beanpot Final With 3-2 Comeback Win Over BU

Unlike the last couple seasons when BC Women’s Hockey would go through their opposition like Sherman through the south, the Eagles have had to face quite a bit of adversity this year.

BC has had to play from behind in several games this season, and Tuesday night, they once again found their footing in a strong third period, coming from behind to beat Boston University 3-2 and advancing to next week’s Beanpot championship game.

Boston College Goal #1: 1:17 of the 1st period
Makenna Newkirk (Caitrin Lonergan, Erin Connolly)

BC 1, BU 0

BC got off to a nice, fast start. Right out of the blocks, Makenna Newkirk fires a wrist shot past BU goaltender Victoria Hanson to get the Eagles on the board. And for the rest of the first period, things go pretty much according to plan — BC is in control, hanging on to possession for the bulk of the period, and outshooting the Terriers 14-8 after the first 20 minutes.

The second 20 minutes, though, went... awry.

Boston University Goal #1 (PPG): 7:34 of the 2nd period
Nina Rodgers (Sammy Davis, Sarah Steele)

BC 1, BU 1

The second period was problematic almost from the drop of the puck. The Terriers carried play almost from start to finish, outshooting BC 15-5 over the course of the period.

The Eagles made things worse with a few untimely penalties immediately after the announcers noted how the Eagles had successfully killed 24 consecutive power plays. You can’t overcome a jinx like that.

BU’s first goal comes off a pretty rebound from Katie Burt. BU’s Sarah Steele takes the shot from distance which on its own isn’t much of a problem, but Sammy Davis not-yet-a-junior gets a deflection on it which Burt is lucky to save in the first place.

Because of the deflection, Burt is unable to control the rebound, which ends up right outside the blue paint. Former Gopher Nina Rodgers is there for the goal to tie things up.

Boston University Goal #2 (PPG): 9:51 of the 2nd period
Maddie Elia (Mary Parker, Victoria Bach)

BU 2, BC 1

Just a couple minutes later, it’s almost the same exact sequence of events. BC takes a penalty, BU takes a shot from distance that someone in scarlet and white gets a stick on at the doorstep, and then the Terriers put home the rebound.

Just like that, the Eagles are trailing in a big game against their big rival. The rest of the period saw Katie Burt keeping it a one-goal game, but after Coaches Crowley and Kennedy had their say between periods, BC played Eagles Hockey for the third period.

Boston College Goal #2 (PPG): 7:49 of the 3rd period
Makenna Newkirk (Kenzie Kent, Erin Connolly)

BC 2, BU 2

This time it’s BC taking advantage of a power play. Makenna Newkirk, who already showed off her strong shot at the beginning of the game, didn’t need any deflections for her PPG. She absolutely rifles one top corner to tie the game.

My favorite part of this goal? #4 Megan Keller’s reaction from the blue line — she looks like she scored it herself.

Blogfather Emeritus Joe Gravellese was at the game with Arthur Bailin and friend-of-the-blog William Whyte, and Joe had a pretty slick bird’s eye view of the goal:

“Lit af,” as the kids say.

Boston College Goal #3 (GWG): 17:12 of the 3rd period
Caitrin Lonergan (Megan Keller, Makenna Newkirk)

BC 3, BU 2 — FINAL

After the Eagles knotted the score at two, it seemed like just a matter of time before they would break through for a winner. Wave after wave of chances on Victoria Hanson had the Terriers on their back skate, to the point where BC would have BU pinned in their end for so long they were able to get a full line change while keeping the Terriers tired and chasing.

When all was said and done BU just couldn’t keep the door closed. Keller’s initial shot was blocked by #13 Natasza Tarnowski but the puck fell right to Caitrin Lonergan in the slot. Lonergan sent the chance in on Hanson, and it was one more shot than the Terriers could handle.

BC finished off strong, earning the win and a berth in the Beanpot finals.

Northeastern took care of business against struggling Harvard 4-1, so it’ll be the Eagles vs. the Huskies for all the beans on Tuesday night. The Huskies will have the advantage of playing at home, and BC probably can’t afford another 20 minute lapse like they had against BU. Puck drop is at 7:30pm, and we’ll be right here with full coverage.