Women's hockey swept by BU on Senior Day

It was senior day on Sunday as the UConn women’s ice hockey team dropped a 4-2 decision to division foe Boston University on home ice at the Mark Freitas Ice Forum. The 4-2 loss was preceded by another 7-5 loss this past Saturday to BU.

The Huskies’ rough weekend against the Terriers closed out their regular season before they play each other next weekend in the quarterfinals of the women’s Hockey East playoffs.

It was the last regular season game at the Mark Freitas Ice Forum for Huskies’ defenseman Casey Knajdek and Maude Blain, and center Kelly Horan.

“They played really well; they’re competing all the time and they’re giving it the best effort that they can,” head coach Heather Linstad said. “The seniors have done a really good job being leaders and getting the younger guys to get that attitude, and find that winning attitude.”

Knajdek and Blain combined for 16 points on the regular season and Blain had 37 blocked shots while Knajdek had 45.

Three of Knajdek’s 10 points on the year came off power play opportunities, while Blain had one point out of her six on the powerplay.

Kelly Horan had 12 points in the regular season with three goals and nine assists. Horan also put 32 shots on goal in 29 games played.

“Kelly has done a really good job,” Linstad said. “As a center she’s done a really good job playing between two freshman, and she’s really got those guys going.”

All three seniors were attributed with an assist in their final game at the Mark Freitas Ice Forum.

Knajdek assisted on UConn’s most important and final goal of the game with five seconds left in the third and final period.

Boston University was pressuring UConn net minder Elaine Chuli, up 4-1 with less than one minute remaining, as well as taunting the Huskies from the BU bench.

The Huskies responded as sophomore forward Kayla Campero put in a rebound chance, assisted by Knajdek and sophomore forward Sarah MacDonnell, to make it 4-2 with five seconds remaining in the final period.

“That’s right, that’s what you get, and so when we get them next Saturday in the quarterfinal game and we beat them: that’s what they get,” Linstad said.

UConn has been depending on young players all season long, as their top five scorers in the regular season are either in their sophomore or freshman year.

“We’re a really young team,” Linstad said. We’re relying on freshman and sophomores, and for them to not hit a wall right now is pretty amazing. They usually get tired and we’ve been playing them a lot; especially that girl (Elaine Chuli) between the pipes. She made some unbelievable saves today. The program is in good hands with a young goalie like that.”

UConn will face Boston University for their third matchup in the past week in the quarterfinals of the women’s ice hockey Hockey East playoffs.

The Hockey East tournament will feature a single elimination format with the four highest seeds hosting the games.

BU took home the women’s ice hockey Hockey East title last season with a 2-1 victory over Providence in double overtime. The last time UConn and BU faced off in the Hockey East playoffs was 2010 in the championship game, and the Terriers got the best of the Huskies 2-1 in overtime.