As of Tuesday morning, only six women’s players in Hockey East were averaging more than a point a game.
It’s not that the league lacks offensive talent and skilled forwards. Far from it. It’s more that the competition is fierce, every inch of the ice is battled over, and team defenses are staunch.
And, oh yeah, the goaltending is exceptional this season.
“Certainly the goaltenders are a part of it,” veteran Boston University head coach Brian Durocher said. “It’s hard to score. A female goaltender is not much different from a male goaltender these days. You come down a wing and there’s not much net to look at.”
Durocher said quality goaltenders can be found on every roster in Hockey East.
Not long ago, a goaltender who produced a .940 save percentage might net All-America honors. Four Hockey East goalies had better save percentages than that following last weekend.
Let’s take a look at the top five goalies in the league thus far.
Aerin Frankel, Northeastern
Durocher calls her the “kingpin” for good reason. The graduate student, a native of Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., continues to break program records.
She became NU’s career saves leader when she stopped 33 shots in a 1-1 tie with Providence. She now has 2,812 saves, surpassing the mark of 2,808 set by Chloe Desjardins (2011-15).
“Obviously it’s an honor. I think I kind of cheated a little bit, being back for a fifth year, but I can’t complain,” a laughing Frankel said after Saturday’s game.
Frankel also holds school records for wins (80) and shutouts (31). She is 7-1-1 with a 0.90 goals-against average, .963 save percentage and three shutouts this season.
It’s not always easy playing net for a loaded team.
“She continues to be mentally strong and mentally tough when she’s called upon,” Durocher said.
Frankel was the 2021 winner of the Patty Kazmaier Award as the top women’s college hockey player and led the Huskies to a national title game appearance for the first time.
Abigail Levy, Boston College
At 6-foot-1, Levy is an imposing presence for opposing shooters. A Congers, N.Y., native, Levy spent her first two seasons at Minnesota State.
She’s blossomed at BC. She’s made at least 30 saves in all but one of her first eight games this season, including a 47-save effort vs. Northeastern. Levy sports a 1.87 GAA and her .948 save percentage was eighth in the country after last weekend. She was 6-2-0 in her first eight starts.
Sandra Abstreiter, Providence
Look past Abstreiter’s 2-3-3 record. The Friars have played a brutally difficult early schedule.
The 5-foot-11 Abstreiter, who hails from Freising, Germany, boasts terrific goals-against average (1.70) and save percentage (.944) numbers. Her save percentage was 11th in the country entering Tuesday night.
Abstreiter has gotten better every season. She didn’t play her freshman season, then played only 118 minutes as a sophomore. The graduate student gives the Friars a chance to win every game.
Kate Stuart, Boston University
Stuart is another player who had to bide her time. The 6-foot netminder from Chilliwack, B.C., has always posted a strong save percentage, but Corinne Schroeder was ahead of her on the depth chart.
Schroeder decided to spend her fifth season at Quinnipiac, opening the door for Stuart. She’s responded by allowing just six goals over her last five appearances, upping her numbers to 1.63 (GAA) and .942 (save %).
Durocher said Stuart has played “very well” in her senior season.
Samantha Carpentier-Yelle, Connecticut
Carpentier-Yelle is a major reason the Huskies are off to a program-best 10-1-0 start.
She allowed only one goal last weekend as UConn swept BU. A native of Bromont, Quebec, Carpentier-Yelle has allowed one or fewer goals in five of her nine starts this season. The 5-foot-5 netminder sports an 8-1-0 record with a 1.56 GAA and .924 save percentage. The senior made 25 starts for the Huskies entering this season.
