February 12, 2021

NCAA Women's Hockey: What to Watch, Week 12



3 min read • by Nicole Haase



NCAA Women's Hockey: What to Watch, Week 12

(10) Providence vs. (6) Boston College

Friday at 2:00 PM and Saturday at 3:00 PM Eastern

Watch: Both games will air live on NESN. Free streaming outside New England on CollegeSportsLive.com.

Boston College has just three losses this season and two of them were at the hands of Providence. You can bet that the Eagles will be looking for a little redemption. They have been prolific on offense, averaging more than three goals per game and spreading the scoring out up and down the roster. They're coming off a three-game sweep of Connecticut.

Providence split a series last weekend with New Hampshire and have lost three of their last four. The Friars are looking to prove they belong in national conversation and could use a marquee win or two over another ranked opponent. Freshman defender Brooke Becker has been a standout so far this season, proving quick with the puck and providing stellar passes to set up her teammates.

One difference maker this weekend could be special teams. The Friars have the best power play unit in the country while BC has scored just four extra-attacker goals. The Eagles are also one of the most penalized teams in the nation. BC is fast and prolific with short-handed goals, but smart play on the power play could be the edge Providence needs to earn a win or two this weekend.

(4) Ohio State at (2) Minnesota

Friday at 4:00 PM and Saturday at 1:00 PM Central

Watch: Paid stream available via BTN+.

Another week, another top-five matchup in the WCHA. These teams each have just two weekends left of regular season play. This year standings will be decided by percentage of possible points won. Minnesota is currently tied for second place in the standings with UMD. Ohio State is currently 0.048 back. The Buckeyes host St. Cloud State next week while Minnesota travels to Bemidji.

The teams have split their season series 2-2 so far. When Minnesota wins, they're winning big, and overall, the series has averaged more than five goals per game between the two teams.

Defense has not been the strong suit in this series and I'd expect we'll see another high-scoring affair. Ohio State favors quick breakouts, but Minnesota struggled with Wisconsin's passing and the Buckeyes may look to use a similar approach. The Gophers haven't had the fluidity we're used to from them in seasons past, and they have been caught flat in their defensive zone at times. Momentum seems to be a big part of this series. The games have felt closer than the scores show.

New Hampshire vs. (3) Northeastern

Saturday at 2:00 PM and Sunday at 5:00 PM Eastern

Watch: Free stream available via College Sports Live.

The Wildcats played a stellar series with Providence last weekend, splitting the weekend, though they came very close to a sweep. They are the team that beat Northeastern in a shootout earlier in the year and they've won three of their last four. UNH seems to have settled in and started to click in this weird season and Ava Boutilier has been a solid presence in net for a team that's regularly playing eight freshmen.

Northeastern has been on cruise as they've won nine in a row. The scored 31 goals over the past four games. They haven't allowed a goal since January 22. New Hampshire is a team much better than their record, but I'm not sure many teams are going to be able to slow down the Huskies at this point.

Also worth a look:

  • Vermont vs. Boston University – Friday at 6:00 PM and Saturday at 5:00 PM Eastern
  • St. Lawrence at Quinnipiac – Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM Eastern

Stick Taps and Snark

↑ Northeastern Goalie Aerin Frankel – The senior set a Hockey East all-time league record last weekend when she earned her 25th conference game shutout.

↑ Wisconsin's Daryl Watts – The senior passed Christine Bestland, Jesse Scanzano, and Elizabeth Giguere to move into 18th on the NCAA all-time women's career scoring list. She currently has 228 points.

↑ Colgate's Malia Schneider – The senior scored her 50th career goal against Clarkson last weekend.

(Photo: BC Women's Hockey Twitter)



Filed under: NCAA; providence; Boston college; ohio state; minnesota; northeastern; new hampshire; malia schneider; daryl watts; Aerin Frankel

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