The Huskies Women’s Hockey team tied University of Vermont in their first game in the XL Center this season. Both goals were scored in the first period, with UVM only leading for a few minutes. (Photo by Kevin Lindstrom/The Daily Campus)
This is it, the final regular season game for the UConn women’s hockey team. The Huskies have one opportunity to improve its place in the conference against No. 8 Boston University.
“We are trying to win, we’re setting up a game plan,” head coach Chris Mackenzie said on Friday’s matchup. “There is a chance we are playing them in the playoffs. It’s down to Boston College or Boston University, either opponent is going to be tough. Any time we represent the University of Connecticut we want to do the best we can, so that is what we are going to do.”
In previous matchups between UConn (14-15-4, 9-13-4) and BU (18-6-8, 14-5-6) the Huskies have been able to pick up one point, as it grabbed a tie back in October. UConn suffered a 4-1 loss to BU in the following matchup.
As Mackenzie said, it is likely down to BU or No. 7 Boston College for the first round of the Women’s Hockey East Playoffs. If UNH and UConn both earn the same result, then UConn will face BU. UNH (13-15-5, 10-14-2) will play BC (23-10-0, 19-7-0) Saturday, if UNH is able to beat the seventh ranked team in the nation then it is possible they will draw BU instead.
“Preparing for their forecheck, special teams work, a lot of the same things we have been doing,” Mackenzie commented on the team’s focus in practice to prepare for BU. “They have two players (who) are really scoring quite a bit this year and we have to be aware of them on the ice.”
Boston University’s Sammy Davis and Jesse Compher have scored 23 and 17 goals, respectively. Not only does Compher score, but she also ranks second in the nation with 1.19 assists per game or 38 overall. Both Compher, 1.72, and Davis, 1.47, rank in the top six in the nation in points per game.
In the last matchup with BU, UConn gave up two goals to each Compher and Davis.
The key to this game for UConn is containing these two offensive forces, while also capitalizing on any opportunities in the offensive zone BU gives up. BU has given up the second least goals in the conference this season, tied with BC with 50 allowed in 25 games. UConn, on the other hand, has given up 71 goals in 26 WHEA games.
“The second game I liked where we were, and I think if we can carry that type of intensity and dedication to blocking shots into the playoffs then we will be in a good place,” Mackenzie said on what the Huskies need to improve in this game.
Mike Mavredakis is a campus correspondent for the Daily Campus. He can be reached via email at michael.quinn-mavredakis@uconn.edu.
