#1 Boston College Holds Off Rival, Boston University 4-3.

The Battle For Comm. Ave Continues This afternoon the #1 Boston College (20-0-0, 13-0-0WHEA) traveled down Commonwealth Avenue in Boston to face, inner-city rival, Boston University (13-7-1, 10-3-1WHEA). The Eagles are only the second team in NCAA women’s hockey history to go undefeated into winter break, the only other team was the ‘12-‘13 Minnesota Gophers who won the national championship that year. The Terriers started the season off at a slow pace, splitting eight games in the month of October losing to top programs like Northeastern, Clarkson twice and a tough one at Penn St. The Eagles and Terriers had met twice this season the first at Walter Brown Arena where BC took it to BU 8-1 the final. In game two, this one in the friendly confines of Conte Forum, the Eagles were sluggish and a physical Terrier bunch kept the game close. Alex Carpenter would hook up with Haley Skarupa on a two on one in overtime and the Patty Kaz award winner from a season ago would lift the Eagles to victory. So who knew which program we would see this afternoon but when it comes to rivalries does it even matter?

After a long winter vacation the #1 ranked Boston College Eagles took the ice against a tough in-city rival Boston University. Although the Terriers struggled early in the season, they have pulled together an impressive end to their first half as well. Some tough losses have them outside of the rankings but BU will definitely be a team to watch come March. The Eagles for their part have done everything asked of them, Coach Crowley has the team buying into the “one game at a time” mentality and it has shown a huge difference in this year’s squad. Yes, last year the Eagles would pummel opponents, the high scoring offense was a sight to see, but ask any of the players or coaches if they would trade any of those wins for a championship win, the answer will be without a doubt yes!

The start of the second half begins with rival BU for the Eagles here’s what happened:

(BC Athletics)

1st, 5:03 // 1-0 – BC GOAL (PPG): BC scored on the power play as Alex Carpenter, behind the net, fed Haley Skarupa in front with a pass through the crease for the quick shot
1st, 8:13 // 1-1 – BU GOAL: On a 2-v-1 break with Sarah Lefort, Kayla Tutino pocketed the rebound of her initial shot that Katie Burt saved, pushing the puck up over Burt's shoulder from close range.
1st, 12:52 // 2-1 – BC GOAL: Dana Trivigno rushed the puck up out of the Eagles' defensive zone, through the neutral zone and into the BC end before playing Kristyn Capizzano ahead. Capizzano skated in deep, then found Skarupa coming in hard through the slot for the goal.
1st, 19:32 // 2-2 – BU GOAL: Dakota Woodworth converted in the Terriers' second 2-v-1 goal, taking Lefort's pass and pushing it past Burt.
2nd, 1:05 // 2-3 – BU GOAL (SHG): Shorthanded, Rebecca Russo beat a diving Burt with a one-timer from the slot after Rebecca Leslie dug the puck out of the corner in a battle with Burt
2nd, 10:24 // 3-3 – BC GOAL: Trivigno pulled the off the boards in front of the BC bench and played Skarupa into space near the Eagles' blue line. She then skated through center ice, into the BU zone and ripped a short from the top of the slot over O'Neil's shoulder.
2nd, 17:31 // 4-3 – BC GOAL: Capizzano dug the puck out deep in the zone on the forecheck and fed Skarupa along the boards near the edge of the zone. Skarupa and Trivigno broke out into the Terriers' zone, and Skarupa played Trivigno wide. Trivigno then sent a pass back across the slot to Skarupa, who backhanded the puck past O'Neil for her career-best fourth goal of the game.

The 3rd period saw some excitement as both teams came out to play a physical game, the Terriers had four penalties in the first two periods while Boston College continued with the game plan. Find chances in the slot, create opportunities from the point and play unselfish hockey. The Eagles executed but not without a few scares from the potent BU offense, a shot by Sarah Lefort would sail past an open net, Rebecca Leslie snuck one past the crease but couldn’t find the post to bury it home. The game was intense and the fans in Walter Brown were ecstatic, every time BC seemed in control the Terriers would fight back. The third finished scoreless, and the Eagles would hold on to improve to 21-0-0 for a program record best start. Haley Skarupa was phenomenal her performance tonight reminded me of Maya Moore in Game 3 of the WNBA finals, she realized she had to do a lot more and she did! This is the second consecutive game the Eagles had a 4 goal scorer (Alex Carpenter v. Syracuse 12/2015) and yet again they answer the critics.

The Hockey East might not be the powerhouse it used to be, but the Eagles are showing that they can rise to the challenge if they need to. BC took the lead twice then fell behind early in the 2nd. They would storm back with the help of Haley Skarupa but what they showed me today that is very very different from years past is the will to fight. The Eagles haven’t trailed much this season but when they do, be sure to see them push for the attack, they are relentless. It has been fun to follow this team, and the #1 ranking has not changed their swagger or mind set this team is on a mission and it will be one to watch come tournament time!

Follow Luis Sanchez on Twitter @Luis_MyW