Beanpot Night 1 Recap

The first Monday in February means it’s time for one thing and one thing only, the Beanpot. For those who don’t know, the Beanpot is a college hockey tournament started in 1952 that takes place on the first two Mondays of February between the four D1 hockey teams in Boston, Northeastern, Harvard, Boston College and Boston University and is played at the TD Garden, the home of the Boston Bruins. A tournament that kids from all over Boston and New England grow up going to and becoming extremely passionate about. Growing up, you were more likely to catch two local kids in BC & BU jerseys arguing about which school has the better hockey team than anyone even mentioning the words college football or basketball.

This year, it’s a little different. On a normal year, it’s likely that 3 of the 4 teams will be in top-20, maybe even top-10. This year that isn’t the case. This year, Northeastern, who has won the least amount of Beanpots (4) and hasn’t won one since 1988 is the the only team inside USA Hockey’s top-20. Tough seasons from Harvard, BU and BC make the Huskies the overwhelming favorite to win it all this year and on night 1 of the Beanpot, they showed there is a reason why everyone has them picked to win.

Game 1

Northeastern 3, BC 0

According to USA hockey, these teams are the two best teams in the tournament. If that’s the case, Northeastern should have no problem when they play BU in the Beanpot finals next Monday. The Huskies dominated BC from start to finish with great play from the dynamic duo of Adam Gaudette (1g, 2a) and Dylan Sikura (1g, 1a) plus some fantastic play on the back end from tendy Cayden Primeau who finished the night with 37 saves. (son of former NHL player Keith Primeau).

BU 3, Harvard 2 (2OT)

What a game this was. Very back and forth. Tons of future NHL talent. Along with a battle between the two college hockey players who play in Boston that will be representing the United States in the Olympics in Jordan Greenway of BU and Ryan Donato of Harvard. A double overtime thriller that ended how a majority of Beanpot games end, in BU’s favor. Ty Amonte (son of former NHL player Tony Amonte) ended it early in the 2nd overtime, it was the Freshman’s 4th goal of the year. BU tendy Jake Oettinger was huge as well, racking up 47 saves.

BU and Northeastern will face off in the Beanpot final on Monday, February 12th at 8:00pm. Harvard and BC will play in the consolation game at 5pm.