BOSTON UNIVERSITY BLANKS MAINE, 3-0

BOSTON - The Boston University women’s ice hockey team scored three third-period goals to post a 3-0 victory over Maine on Saturday afternoon at Walter Brown Arena. The game remained scoreless through over 50 minutes of play before sophomore Sarah Russell scored what would be the game-winning goal at 11:57. With the win, BU improves to 15-8-2 overall and 7-6-1 in Hockey East, while Maine falls to 7-14-2 (2-9-2 HE). Freshman Melissa Haber earned her fourth shutout of the year, making 14 saves.

Maine and BU both entered the game coming off of tough conference losses. The teams played cautiously, staying out of the penalty box and shying away from aggressive offensive attacks. However, at 14:53, BU sophomore Erin Seman was called for holding for the first penalty of the game. Despite allowing three power-play goals in their last outing, the Terriers penalty kill rebounded, not allowing Maine to take a shot during the two minutes. BU ended the first period outshooting the Black Bears, 6-3.

Although the second period remained scoreless, Maine held the Terriers to only two shots. After an ongoing scuffle, BU sophomore Sophie Thornton and Maine’s Vanessa Vani were both sent to the box for roughing at 7:57. The four-on-four play opened the ice for both teams, but neither were able to find the back of the net.

The Terriers went on the power play for the first time at 18:22, when Chantal Jaillet was called for hooking. As the seconds ticked away in the second period, sophomore Genevieve Laing managed to take a sharp-angled shot that went just wide before the horn sounded, ending the middle stanza.

In the opening minutes of the third period, BU went on the offensive attack. Off the opening faceoff, freshman Melissa Anderson won the puck and skated through the slot taking a shot directly at Maine goaltender Genevieve Turgeon. Turgeon went down stopping the puck, but senior captain Cara Hendry found the rebound, taking a quick shot that Turgeon just managed to get a glove on.

The game remained tied 0-0 at the midway point of the third period. Less than two minutes later, Laing took possession of the puck, passing it to Russell, who beat Turgeon at 11:57 to break the scoreless game and give BU the 1-0 lead. The goal was Russell's first on the year.

Maine took its second and last penalty of the game at 15:02. BU managed two shots during the power play and controlled play as the game returned to even strength. Sophomore Gina Kearns and Anderson handled the puck at the blueline, before passing it to Seman who blasted the puck past Turgeon, giving BU the 2-0 lead at 17:22.

Anderson ended the game with a team-high seven shots. It was her first game back after sitting out four-straight games with a dislocated shoulder. She has now recorded at least one point in nine of her last 11 games.

Just seconds after Maine pulled its goaltender, sophomore Amanda Shaw cleared a puck, that bounced off the boards and slid into the net to give BU the 3-0 lead at 18:24, and ultimate win.

Haber improved her record to 8-2-1 overall and 6-1-1 in conference play.

The Terriers will take the rest of the weekend off before hosting No. 4/5 New Hampshire on Wednesday night at Walter Brown Arena. It is the second meeting between the teams this season. On Oct. 29, BU lost 4-0 on the road to UNH, ending a six-game winning streak.