The Boston University women’s hockey team’s 4–1 loss against Northeasten in the Beanpot semifinals Tuesday night marked the team’s first loss in 14 games and the Terriers’ (18–4–3, 13–2–1 Hockey East) first loss against the Huskies (15–10–2, 8–7–1 Hockey East) all season.
BU’s winning streak was the second longest such streak in the nation — second to the University of Minnesota’s 28-game streak — and it also tied the longest unbeaten streak in program history, which was set during the 2010-11 season.
“Fourteen games is a long time to not lose, so maybe we were up against the odds to keep that going,” said BU coach Brian Durocher. “It was a recipe for a win for them.”
The last time the team lost was Nov. 9 against the University of New Hampshire, where BU lost by a score of 4–2.
The Beanpot loss also brought an end to the Terriers’ seven-game win streak, which dated back to their 4–2 victory over the University of Connecticut on Jan. 8. BU won all six of its games in the month of January, averaging 4.3 goals per game.
The play of the Terriers during the loss Tuesday night was uncharacteristic of their play during the unbeaten streak. During the streak, the Terriers averaged 3.9 goals per game and allowed only an average of 2.1 goals per game. BU outscored its opponents 51–27 and additionally scored three shorthanded goals.
During the semifinal, BU did not score shorthanded, nor was it able to score on any of its six power-play opportunities.
Durocher said the team was not overconfident going into the semifinal game, nor was it particularly nervous.
“It’s tough sometimes when you’ve beaten somebody three times in a row, and they’re a really good hockey team,” Durocher said.
But having met the Terriers three times prior in the season, Northeastern coach Dave Flint said he wasn’t surprised that BU wasn’t able to pull through, because it is rare for a team to win four games in a season series.
Durocher said the team was in a different position than usual, fighting NU’s two-goal lead early in the first period.
“I hope we can score the next time we’re down two goals,” Durocher said. “If we have that many chances, I think we will get one.”
BU won the last four conference clashes with Northeastern, and this loss ended yet another small, less significant streak for the team.
“Obviously this game could have some significance in some people’s minds with the playoffs, but I always throw the past games out the window, for the most part,” Durocher said. “The reality is, it’s going to start 0–0 next time we see them.”
BU junior co-captain Marie-Philip Poulin — who went into the game tied for 13th best in the nation in points per game — was fighting a fever the past two days, according to Durocher, which he said slowed the team’s pace a bit, as she had to work to regain her strength throughout the game.
“The biggest thing [tonight] were the two [earliest] quirky goals,” Durocher said. “When you run against a really good team who’s been in the top 10 all year, you have to play well and you have to hope it isn’t the night their goaltender plays fantastic.”
BU’s next win will be the 150th in Durocher’s career and in program history.
Despite the loss and the end of several streaks, Durocher said he is looking to maintain a positive outlook.
“I’m a power-positive person, and I’m going to continue to tell them that I think we played well,” Durocher said.