After opening the season with a split against ninth ranked Clarkson, the ladies now face third ranked Boston College at home. The competition remains tough, but if the Saints can play the way they did against Clarkson, they can contend.
So far BC has wins against Queens and Syracuse by scores of 10-1 and 10-2. BC is lead offensively by Haley Skarupa, Emily Field and Andie Anastos, who combined for 108 points last year. They did graduate their goalie from last season, but Katie Burt is more than capable.
Luckily, the Saints boast a top goaltender of their own in Carmen MacDonald. And the Saints top line of Brooke Webster, Abbey McRae and Kennedy Marchment has proven that they can score this season.
Key players for the Saints this weekend will be MacDonald and the top defensive pair of Amanda Boulier and Kirsten Padalis. Those three will be tasked with the unenviable job of stopping BC's big scorers. And, Boulier is also charged with running the top power play, as well as putting a charge into the offense. If those three play well, the Saints can match up with BC.
Coach Wells is also important. With home ice advantage, I, at least, would try and keep the Webster line off the ice while Lexi Bender is out. Without the top defense on them, that line becomes even more dangerous.
Again, as it was with Clarkson, the key will still be puck possession. With such a dynamic offense, if BC dominates the puck possession totals, they are going to win, plain and simple. But if SLU controls the puck well, BC is limited in their chances, and the Saints can absolutely get a win.
Control the puck and you control the game. Puck drops at 7 at Appleton
So far BC has wins against Queens and Syracuse by scores of 10-1 and 10-2. BC is lead offensively by Haley Skarupa, Emily Field and Andie Anastos, who combined for 108 points last year. They did graduate their goalie from last season, but Katie Burt is more than capable.
Luckily, the Saints boast a top goaltender of their own in Carmen MacDonald. And the Saints top line of Brooke Webster, Abbey McRae and Kennedy Marchment has proven that they can score this season.
Key players for the Saints this weekend will be MacDonald and the top defensive pair of Amanda Boulier and Kirsten Padalis. Those three will be tasked with the unenviable job of stopping BC's big scorers. And, Boulier is also charged with running the top power play, as well as putting a charge into the offense. If those three play well, the Saints can match up with BC.
Coach Wells is also important. With home ice advantage, I, at least, would try and keep the Webster line off the ice while Lexi Bender is out. Without the top defense on them, that line becomes even more dangerous.
Again, as it was with Clarkson, the key will still be puck possession. With such a dynamic offense, if BC dominates the puck possession totals, they are going to win, plain and simple. But if SLU controls the puck well, BC is limited in their chances, and the Saints can absolutely get a win.
Control the puck and you control the game. Puck drops at 7 at Appleton
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