February 18, 2011

UConn will play Northeastern in a two-game series to decide the final home ice playoff spot

Connecticut vs. Northeastern - Two-Game Series (Sat. at NU, Sun. at UConn)

- The teams skated to a 2-2 tie on Feb. 6 at the XL Center in Hartford in the first meeting of the season.

- If UConn gains at least two points during the weekend series with Northeastern, they will be guaranteed home ice for the quarterfinals of the Hockey East Tournament which begins on Saturday, February 26.

- Northeastern needs three points to overtake UConn for the final home ice spot in the quarterfinal round.

- UConn has gone to overtime in three of its last four contests.

- NU's Katie MacSorley ranks third among WHEA rookies with 12 points in league play.

No. 4 Boston University at Maine - Two-Game Series (Fri., Sat. at Alfond Arena)

- BU will clinch the WHEA regular-season title outright by earning at least one point or by BC losing a point.

- The Terriers won the first meeting of the season series by a 5-2 on Jan. 16 at Walter Brown Arena.

- Maine took three of four points vs. BC last week to pull to within one point of UNH for the final playoff spot.

- Boston U. owns a 4-0-0 record in games following a loss this season.

- Terrier's forward Jillian Kirchner recorded her 100th career point with two assists vs. NU last Friday.

Vermont at No. 9 Providence - Two-Game Series (Sat., Sun. at Schneider Arena)

- Vermont defeated the Friars in their only meeting this season, 1-0, back on Jan. 30

- Roxanne Douville's 1.90 GAA in league play ranks fourth among WHEA netminders.

- With at least one win during the final weekend of the regular season, the Friars will reach the 20-win plateau for the sixth time in Head Coach Bob Deraney's 12 seasons behind the Friars bench.

New Hampshire vs. No. 7 Boston College - Two-Game Series (Sat. at BC, Sun. at UNH)

- BC won the first meeting of the season series back on Nov. 28, a 3-1 win at the Whittemore Center.

- The Eagles won their fourth Beanpot in school history on Monday night vs. Harvard, Mary Restuccia was named MVP of the tournament.

- UNH goalie Kayley Herman stopped 72 of 76 shots (.947 save%) in three games last week.

- New Hampshire is 5-3-1 spanning the last nine games and that includes road wins against three nationally-ranked teams; Jan. 15 at Providence (2-1), Jan. 22 at Northeastern (4-3 in overtime) and Feb. 3 at Boston U.,4-2.