If head coach Tara Watchorn has made one thing clear in her tenure, it’s that she values process over results. Yet with the Boston University women’s hockey team sitting at a record of 2-10 on the season, it’s fair to wonder if at a certain point BU will need a tangible result to spark confidence or gain momentum.
BU’s record may lend credence to that narrative, but in last weekend’s Battle of Comm Ave. against Boston College, the Terriers showed every indication that Watchorn’s emphasis on process is beginning to pay off — even if the breakthrough comes much later than BU might have hoped.
Arguably, the Terriers hit rock bottom in a 3-1 loss to Maine, but since then the team has been trending in the right direction. An NCAA tournament bid — a realistic goal BU had at the beginning of the season given last year’s success — is off the table. Instead, the focus has shifted to peaking at the right time.
At the end of the day, each team in Hockey East will have a shot in the conference playoffs, so embracing Watchorn’s mentality and “redefining success” is the most sensible task for BU to continue with.
If the Terriers sustain the level of play they showed against BC, the dam will eventually break, and this weekend’s series with Providence offers BU an opportunity to prove it.
Lines will likely stay the same
The top three forward lines have held steady for the last four games, the only adjustment coming as freshman Anežka Čabelová rejoined the lineup after a short break to compete internationally for Czechia.
Last season, Watchorn regularly changed lines, not because it was necessary, but to experiment with success and spark chemistry. This year BU doesn’t have the luxury.
“Every year, every team and makeup is gonna be a little different,” Watchorn said. “Not a lot of reason right now, off the top of my head, as to why I would look to find something even better or to shift something that’s not working.”
The power play is improving, but the stats don’t show it
The Terriers generated on the power play in each game against Boston College. Prior to this series, BU was 1 for 38 on the skater advantage.
“We are making subtle tweaks that are not punishment or reward,” Watchorn said of the power play unit. “It’s setting them up for success with the skill, the really nuanced skill they have.”
BU had a total of 25 shots on the power play across the series and dominated possession, keeping the puck in the offensive zone and denying the Eagles clearances.
Putting pucks on net
Across the two games in the BC series, BU controlled play with a 78-55 edge in shots-on-goal and a 140-79 advantage in total attempts.
By contrast, in the Maine series, the Terriers were on the defensive, getting out-shot 63-43.
Shots taken against BC were of a higher quality. BU was able to capitalize on rebound opportunities and controlled off the forecheck. Goaltender Grace Campbell was just too solid in net to let these chances in.
Watchorn believes the Terriers are on the right track to cracking their lack of goals, underscoring the value of buying into her process-over-result approach.
“We are getting to the place where now we have almost every woman in the locker room able to think that way, and when we start thinking that way, it pays,” Watchorn said.
Scouting the Friars
The Friars hold a 4-9-1 overall record and are 2-3-1 in Hockey East, currently sitting seventh in the conference standings. They boast wins over Maine and New Hampshire, the same teams the Terriers have claimed victories over.
Graduate student Hope Walinski will likely start in between the pipes for Providence. She currently holds a .906 save percentage on the season.
Senior Reichen Kirchmair powers the offensive charge for the Friars, with an 8-4-12 line, leading the team in points and goals.
Providence plays a similar aggressive forechecking style to the Terriers.
“They’re making each other better this week, more than I’ve seen in a long time,” Watchorn said. “Inadvertently, us working on scoring and creating off transitions on the forecheck, we are preparing ourselves because I know we also go aggressive and play in a similar style [to Providence].”
