Harvard will look to shatter a brief winless skid (0-1-2) by traveling across Greater Boston for one-off matchups with two of the nation’s hottest teams. (Photo credit: Harvard Athletics)
Harvard will go up against the top women’s college hockey team this Friday in a matinee visit to Boston College. Both teams have had a strong start to the season, and should make for a competitive nonconference, crosstown matchup.
Harvard, who made it to the ECAC semifinals last year and has returned all but two names to this year’s roster, is poised to have another successful year, and has been faring well against top competitors so far. The Crimson have only played five games, but have tied the defending national champion Clarkson the three-time defending Hockey East champion Boston University in each of their last two Fridays.
Junior forward Miye D’Oench has been an outstanding presence on the ice for Harvard, already racking up eight points in the five games. Seniors Hillary Crowe and Samantha Reber have been key to the team’s success as well, already tallying four assists apiece.
However, no team has been steamrolling the competition this year as much as BC, which enters the weekend 14-0-1 on the year. The Eagles have been averaging over 5.53 goals per game and allowing less than one (0.93), shutting out six opponents with the help of workhorse freshman goaltender Katie Burt.
Juniors Alex Carpenter and Haley Skarupa are responsible for a significant portion of the bench’s offensive strength. The two forwards are currently the top two scorers in the nation, earning 60 points between the two of them.
Friday, Nov. 28-Saturday, Nov. 29
Minnesota-Duluth at Bemidji State
If other WCHA teams thought facing BSU would spell an easy win this year, most have already learned otherwise.
This weekend No. 8/9 UMD will travel to No. 9/10 Bemidji, and will most likely come prepared after the likes of top conference opponents Minnesota and North Dakota were previously swept by BSU. Another established WCHA power, Wisconsin, only defeated the Beavers by one goal in both games of their series.
Goaltender Brittni Mowat has been a stone wall for BSU, and one of the main reasons behind the team’s success so far this season. Her save percentage of .949 is good for first in the WCHA and fourth in the nation.
The two teams have been going back and forth lately with their rankings in the nation, and this weekend could very well see another swap.
Saturday, Nov. 29
Harvard at Northeastern
The day after going up against the top team in the nation, Harvard will immediately have to recharge and refocus for the Huskies, who seem to have finally found their footing, winning four of their last five games after a 2-5-3 start.
Kendall Coyne has been a driving force for Northeastern, scoring 23 points in 15 games, and Harvard will no doubt have to keep an eye out for her Saturday night.
Seeing as Northeastern will have Friday night off, the outcome of Harvard’s game at BC could very well impact how the Crimson fare against the Huskies.
Saturday, Nov. 29-Sunday, Nov. 30
Maine at Vermont
Two of Hockey East’s middle-of-the-pack teams will go up against each other this weekend when the Black Bears travel to Vermont, with both teams looking to get some momentum started.
Vermont, while faring well outside of Hockey East, has been struggling with conference opponents this season, its only win in that department coming against Connecticut four weekends ago. Despite forwards Dayna Colang, Amanda Pelkey, and Brittany Zuback creating a solid offensive presence on the ice for the Catamounts, the team has become leaky defensively, allowing at least four goals in each of its last six games.
Meanwhile, an unpredictable Maine team has been pulling off some upsets this season, collecting wins against top teams, such as BU and Northeastern, and tying Mercyhurst. But the Black Bears have yet to win consecutive games, and are 1-3-0 in their last four.
Monday, Dec. 1
Mercyhurst at Cornell
Mercyhurst, currently ranked in eighth and 10th in the two major national polls, has only seen two losses so far this season, and is currently riding a five-game winning streak.
Cornell, on the other hand, has yet to pull off a victory against an nonconference opponent, enduring sweeps via Boston College earlier this year and Minnesota-Duluth last weekend. As the defending champion in the ECAC conference, they Big Red will look to restore their contender’s form in their next marquee game Monday night.
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