Terrier Icewomen Continue Quest for National Title

The Terrier icewomen’s history as a varsity sport is short but impressive. Begun just six years ago, the team is ranked fourth in the country and is shooting for its second consecutive Hockey East championship this weekend.

The Hockey East tournament is being held this year at Walter Brown Arena, marking the first time that BU hosts the tournament as a participant and number-one seed. The Terriers are hoping to make the tournament another step in their journey to a national title.

Three other teams will also be looking to clinch the championship: the Northeastern University Huskies, the Boston College Eagles, and the Providence College Friars. BU not only has home-ice advantage this year, but also the most wins, both in Hockey East and overall. The Terriers’ 15-3-3 conference record locked up the top seed—a feat they captured for the first time.

Assistant captain and forward Jillian Kirchner (SAR’11) is thrilled at the prospect of playing before a home crowd. “We worked hard throughout the season to gain home-ice advantage, and there is no better feeling than playing in front of your friends and family while trying to win a title,” says Kirchner. “We’re extremely happy with our successes this year, but not content. We’re still hungry.”

Their season has been nothing short of remarkable: the Terriers recorded their 100th program win, are at present 25-5-4 overall, secured the number-one spot in the Hockey East conference, and claimed the regular season title in a 2-0 victory over the Maine Black Bears on February 18. Nationally, the Terriers, who had been ranked as high as third overall, currently hold the fourth spot in Division 1.

Several Terrier players have been named Hockey East Player of the Month since the season began, among them Jenn Wakefield (CAS’12) and Marie-Philip Poulin (SED’14). Goalie Kerrin Sperry (CAS’14) has had an auspicious start to her BU career, compiling a 19-2-3 mark during the regular season and garnering Hockey East Goalie of the Month for December.

As the Terriers prepare for this weekend’s championship, several players are generating national attention. Defenseman Catherine Ward (GSM’12), Poulin, and Wakefield were nominated for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, presented to the top player in NCAA Division 1 women’s ice hockey. Each of these Terriers is new to the team this year, and each has played a major role.

Sperry was named the league’s Goaltending Champion for having the best combined goals-against average and save percentage, and the conference’s Best Defensive Forward went to Holly Lorms (SMG’11) and Best Defenseman to Ward.

The Hockey East tournament begins tomorrow, Saturday, March 5, when the Terriers open up against fifth-seeded Northeastern. BU is 3-0-1 against the Huskies this season, skating to a 3-3 tie in their last matchup, the February 15 Beanpot consolation game. The second semifinal is at 3 p.m. between number-two seed Boston College and number-three seed Providence.

The winners of those two games will face off against each other on Sunday, March 6, for the Hockey East title at Walter Brown Arena at 1 p.m. Sunday’s championship game will be broadcast on NESN on a tape delay, beginning at 4 p.m.

Hockey East tournament tickets are $5 for the general public, $3 for Hockey East schools’ faculty and staff members, senior citizens, children, and non–Hockey East students with a valid ID; free for BU students with a valid ID. Groups of 10 or more can buy tickets for $2. Purchase women’s ice hockey tickets here, call 617-353-GOBU (4628), or visit the Agganis Arena ticket office, 925 Commonwealth Ave., Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Matt Caracappa can be reached at caracapp@bu.edu.