Game Declared Scrimmage; Eagles Outskate Icewomen, 7-2

At least it didn't count.

The women's hockey team expected to play a regular season contest against Boston College last night, but ended up losing a mere scrimmage, 7-2, at McHugh Forum.

The officiating, apparently provided by non-sanctioned referees, was described by Crimson forward Lauren Norton as "fairly nonexistent."

Crimson Coach Joe Bertagna decided to make the game scrimmage partially because of the officiating (or lack of it) and because B.C. used high school players and others not affiliated with the college, forward Sue Cunick said.

"It was ridiculous--the officials didn't call any penalties until the third period," she said.

"But I think everyone had a good time," she added.

The Eagles popped in a loose puck with ten seconds left in the first period to grab a lead they never relinquished, then added two quickies early in the second before coasting to victory over the Crimson skaters, still a bit disappointed about last weekend's double-defeat at the Ivy Tournament in Providence, R.I.

Sleepy Eyes

"We skated well," Harvard goalie Nelia Worsley said after the game, "but we were tired so we didn't skate hard."

Tania Huber and Sara Fischer set each other up in the second period for the Crimson's only tallies. Huber, who leads the team with 17 goals and 11 assists for 28 points, took a pass from Fischer before breaking down left wing and beating the B.C. netminder from in close to make the score 3-1.

After two breakaways resulted in Eagle goals, Fischer brought the Crimson to within three on a wristshot from the slot.

But B.C. upped the margin to four again on a shot that flew by Worsley's stickside with one second left in the stanza.

Push Comes to Shove

After the third period was briefly interrupted by a shoving match in front of the Eagle net among Huber, Lauren Norton and a couple of miffed opponents, B.C. concluded the scoring with a slapshot from the point that "went right over my glove--just an inch and a half or so," Worsley said.

Such is life.

LINE CHANGES: For what it's worth, Harvard may get a shot to avenge last night's defeat at the upcoming women's Beanpot tournament March 16-17 at Boston Arena. Harvard would have to upset Northeastern and B.C. needs to trample the Terriers of Boston University to set up the return match.