By Meredith Perri/DFP Staff

The Boston University women’s hockey team has suffered a major loss as sophomore forward Marie-Philip Poulin will likely be out until around Christmas with an abdominal injury that she suffered this weekend, a team spokesperson said on Monday.

“We’re all sad for Marie-Philip,” said BU coach Brian Durocher. “We all wish her the best health.

“Hockey is super important but I want people to have health for the next 50 or 60 years so we’ll keep our fingers crossed and hope everything comes back well.”

Poulin, who was the Hockey East Rookie of the Year last season, was injured during the third period of Saturday afternoon’s loss to the University of North Dakota when she was hit near the left circle by North Dakota’s goal. Poulin did not appear injured and was not helped off the ice.

In 28 games last season, Poulin was second on the team with 24 goals and 47 assists. She missed close to a month of play because of a broken hand.

“Most of the time, troops try to rally around something like this,” Durocher said. “We’ve got to look forward and do our best to fill her ice time with other exciting people who want to get out there and show good things for Boston University and themselves.”