ORONO, Maine – Closing out the 2017-18 regular season with a 17-12-5 overall record (11-9-4 WHEA) finishing as the No. 3 seed, the University of Maine Black Bears will play host to the No. 6-seeded Boston University (BU) Terriers (13-15-6, 8-11-5 WHEA) for the Women's Hockey East best-of-three Quarterfinal round of the tournament. Games are set for a 2 p.m. tipoff on Friday and Saturday (Feb. 23-24), and Sunday (Feb. 25) if a tiebreaker is necessary. The University of Maine's Screamin' Black Bear Pep Band will be entertaining the fans at all of the games at the Alfond Arena this weekend.
The Black Bears posted a successful year, sweeping the season series over the Terriers, 3-0-0. Between the three games, Maine gave up five goals to BU's 11 goals as the Black Bears protected their home ice for their first conference win of the season, 4-2, back in October and then trekked down to Boston for a two-game series in January for a pair of wins.
BOSTON UNIVERSITY BY THE NUMBERS
3.06 : Goals per game
31.8 : Shots per game
2.71 : Goals against average
22.05% : Power play percentage
3.74 : Power plays per game
79.39% : Penalty kill percentage
4.2 : Penalties per game
Players to Watch:
- Rookie Nara Elia after recording a pair of goals on Maine this season to add to her total of eight goals.
- Sophomore Deziray De Sousa tallied one goal and two helpers against the Black Bears.
- Freshman Jesse Compher knocked in one goal and assist on Maine to accumulate 15 assists this year while sophomore Abbey Stanley dished out a pair of helpers on Maine to reach 17 assists.
- Leading the Terriers in stats, seniors Victoria Bach and Rebecca Leslie have dominated the ice offensively throughout their careers at BU. Bach is ranked fourth in Division I women's hockey for total points this year (61) between 36 goals and 25 assists in 30 games while Leslie sits in eighth for a combination of 21 goals and 30 assists (51) in 30 games.
- The Black Bears faced senior Erin O'Neil in net twice, as she turned away 55 shots, holding Maine to six goals. She's seen time in 11 games this season for a .916 save percentage. Starting 24 games this year, rookie Corinne Schroeder posts a 12-7-4 record with a .917 save percentage and faced the Black Bears on the ice once.
The Terriers have displayed the most success in conference tournament play for a program in league history, capturing five championships with a 22-7-0 overall record in Hockey East playoffs. BU has only lost in the quarterfinal round twice (11-2-0), but this is also the first year the Terriers have to travel for quarterfinals because they did not finish as a top-four seed.
MAINE BY THE NUMBERS
2.41 : Goals per game
29.1 : Shots per game
2.12 : Goals against average
9.57% : Power play percentage
3.38 : Power plays per game
86.82% : Penalty kill percentage
4.2 : Penalties per game
Players to Watch:
- Net minder, sophomore Carly Jackson finished out the regular season leading all Hockey East goaltenders with a 1.88 goals against average, ranking 16th nationally, and helping sweep the Terriers, 3-0-0, shutting down 63 shots in 180 minutes. She's achieved a .927 save percentage starting in 30 games this season.
- Leading scorer for the Black Bears, sophomore Tereza Vanisova tucked away three goals against the Terriers to add on to her accumulation of 13 goals and 26 assists. She is ranked 12th in Division I women's hockey for overall points this season.
- Both junior Alyson Matteau and sophomore Jessica Jacques tallied a pair of goals on BU.
- Sophomore Vendula Pribylova added on to her season total of 16 points with a goal and three assists.
- Leading all rookies on her team in points, Michelle Weis dished out a trio of helpers on BU, to accumulate 10 this season along with nine goals.
The Maine women's hockey team does not boast the best record in Hockey East playoffs, 0-11-0, but they have the drive and have achieved several firsts this year including being recognized as a nationally ranked top-ten team. The Black Bears currently hold the most recent 10-game unbeaten streak in the league after their winning season. Maine has been ranked No.3 concluding the regular twice before, advancing directly to the semifinals over ten years ago. This will be the Black Bears first time clinching home ice to host the quarterfinals since 2015 when they finished as the No.4 seed. Maine has yet to face Boston University in post-season play.
GAME TICKETS
It is recommended that fans purchase tickets in advance. Tickets may be purchased in person or by calling the University of Maine Ticket Office at 207-581-BEAR, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Admission to all games will be FREE to all students with a college ID from a participating school.
Prices (all seats will be General Admission)
Adults: $10.00
Seniors: $5.00
Children: $5.00
Groups (10 or more): $5.00
All students that check in with the Black Bear Nation App during Friday and Saturday's contests at the Alfond Arena will have a chance to win Dunkin' Donuts gift cards. Over $200 in gift cards will be handed out throughout the weekend.
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TWITTER: @BlackBearsWIH
This February, the University of Maine community comes together with the support of the Maine Sports Commission to celebrate the achievements of women and girls in sports. We believe that participation in sports at all ages builds courage, strength, and character and provides women with the confidence and tools to become the leaders of tomorrow. Please join us at our games and celebration events throughout the month.
To support UMaine Women's Athletics, please visit: our.umaine.edu/fillthesteins
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