Women's Hockey Midseason Report

With 2019 in the books it’s time to look back at the season that has been so far and what is yet to come for each of the women’s hockey teams in Boston. The first half of the season was very successful for all the teams as there was only nine losses in games not against each other. Each of the college teams has games left that could push them in to better seeding and the Pride look to continue what they have been doing.

Boston College (11-7-2, 10-5-1 HEA)

Current PWR: 11

Projected PWR: 11

Our first team up is the Eagles from Chestnut Hill. This season was viewed with some cautious optimism with the constant high level recruits coming in, however, with the losses both from graduation and transfer there was fear that that was misplaced.

To start the year BC was among the top teams as they opened up on a seven game winning streak, in retrospect the teams were not that good. Their last ten has been painful. They have gone 1-2 against both UConn and Boston University, add in losses to both Northeastern and Wisconsin plus an embarrassing 7-1 blowout by Harvard to end the year and things aren’t looking good. A positive sign is that in Nashville they tied Minnesota and likely would’ve won if there had been video review.

The rest of the year isn’t too strenuous beside their next series against Northeastern and then the Beanpot. If they win their imminently winnable games in January they will keep pressure on Northeastern for the Hockey East title.

Boston University (12-4-1, 7-4-1 HEA)

Current PWR: 8

Projected PWR: 8

The other team on Comm. Ave., the Terriers, can divide their season into two parts, before the return of Jesse Compher and after. The before can be lowlighted with the tie at home against Merrimack along with a loss in New Hampshire which hurt their chances in the regular season for Hockey East. The two losses to Northeastern didn’t help their cases any either. Since then they have been a dominant team that could be a threat nationally.

To end the season they have the Beanpot plus one game at Northeastern and a series against UConn. This schedule should bode well for a tournament run.

Harvard (8-4-0, 7-0-0 ECAC, 6-0-0 Ivy)

Current PWR: 9

Projected PWR: 9

The Crimson have been streaky this season. A five game winning streak to start the season, mostly over fellow Ivies including a very good Princeton team, set them up for success before a disastrous stretch with four losses including New Hampshire. They then ended on a three game winning streak that last saw them blow the doors off of Boston College.

Of the four Boston schools Harvard has the hardest road to finish the year. Both games against Cornell and Clarkson are still on the docket along with the second Princeton game and a date with Northeastern in the Beanpot.

Northeastern (15-2-0, 12-2-0 HEA)

Current PWR: 4

Projected PWR: 4

The Huskies are in prime position to take the next big step and make a tournament run. NU has met all the big tests so far this season, sweeping BU and beating BC. The problem is that they have had some letdowns in losses to both Providence and Maine.

January of 2020 will be a huge test for the Huskies, as they open up with a tournament that includes Wisconsin. They will then have a pair against Boston College, three against UConn and another meeting with BU. Right now Northeastern is in position for home-ice in the NCAA tournament, but they will need to avoid any more slip ups.

Boston Pride (15-0-0)

The Pride are perfect. There have been close calls but they still haven’t dropped a game. They own a league high goal differential of +53 (80-27), the next highest is +15, and are leading in goals scored and allowed as well. They have already eliminated the Whale from contention for first place, their magic number is 11 points to clinch the regular season title.

They will be on the road for most of the rest of the season but should be favored the rest of the way.