Playing East Coast teams in the regular season isn’t something that the UMD women’s hockey team gets to do too often. This year, the schedule includes two Hockey East perennial contenders in Boston College and Boston University.
The Bulldogs started off the East Coast rivalry last weekend, earning a split against the No. 6 Boston College Eagles on the road.
UMD came firing on all cylinders in the first game of the series, taking a 3-2 victory Thursday.
Sophomore Brigette Lacquette put the Bulldogs on the board first, scoring late in the first period, and fellow sophomore Zoe Hickel extended the lead to two in the second.
Jenna McParland scored what turned out to be the game-winner at the 6:02 mark of the third period.
Boston College finally broke through midway through the period, getting a goal from Alex Carpenter. Emily Pfalzer’s goal with 1:29 to play in the game made things interesting, but the Bulldogs held on for the victory.
UMD freshman goalie Kayla Black was again solid in net, stopping 39 of the 41 shots she faced.
The Bulldogs went for the sweep Friday, but the Eagles turned the tables and earned the 3-2 win.
McParland put the Bulldogs on the board first in game, scoring a power play goal midway through the first period.
However, BC broke through with three straight goals to take control of the game. Haley Skarupa and Ashley Motherwell scored just four minutes apart in the second period to take the lead. Carpenter tacked on an insurance goal just 47 seconds into the third to seal the game for the Eagles.
UMD’s Shara Jasper put in her first goal of the season midway through the third, but it wasn’t enough for the Bulldogs to gain momentum and take the lead.
Shots were fairly even in the game, with Boston College holding a 26-23 edge.
The Bulldogs will face a stiff test in front of the home crowd this weekend. They take on defending national champion and No. 1 team in the nation, Minnesota, Friday and Saturday night at Amsoil Arena.
The last time those two teams faced each other, the Gophers got the best of the Bulldogs, beating them in the WCHA Final Face-Off championship game at Amsoil Arena in March.
BY TOM OLSEN olsen450@d.umn.edu