Northeastern and Boston University advance to the Beanpot Final

One of the greatest traditions in college hockey is the Beanpot. The yearly tournament takes place at TD Garden, home of the Boston Bruins. It is played between Harvard, Northeastern, Boston University, and Boston College. 

Things got underway on Monday when Harvard took on Northeastern. Northeastern took a 1-0 lead on a goal scored by Alex Campbell. They took that into the first intermission. 

In the second period, however, Harvard found a way to tie it thanks to a goal scored by Ben MacDonald. Although Harvard is seen as the lowest-ranked team involved in the Beanpot this year, they play hard and deserve respect. 

That respect was earned in the third period when they took their first lead of the game. Matthew Morden was the goal scorer for the Crimson. After about six minutes' worth of game clock layer, Justin Hryckowian tied it up for Northeastern. 

After trading goals in the 3rd period, this game required overtime. This is where Beanpot heroes are made and that’s what happened at TD Garden on Monday. Gunnarwolfe Fontain, the kid with the best name in college hockey, scored the overtime winner to send his Northeastern squad to the Beanpot Final. 

Harvard played well and gave Northeastern all they could handle but they just couldn’t find that overtime tally. This is the 6th straight year that Northeastern has made it to the Beanpot Final.

The Beanpot Final is going to feature two very good teams once again

They got to sit back and watch Boston University play Boston College. These are the two best teams in the tournament this year as NHL talent floods both lineups right now. BU came in slumping and that includes two losses to BC a couple of weekends ago. They were hungry out of the gate. 

Macklin Celebrini, the projected first-overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, scored two first-period goals to give the Terriers a 2-0 lead. He likes to show up in big games and that’s what he did here. 

Boston College did what Boston College does though. They cut the lead in half thanks to a goal scored by Gabe Perreault. The New York Rangers prospect made a great play with San Jose Sharks prospect Will Smith to cut into the lead. 

That goal gave BC some momentum but it wasn’t enough. BU found a way to get two more goals to make it 4-1. Luke Tuch and Ryan Greene scored the Terrier goals. 

After that, you’d think it was over. That would be a mistake as BC has too much talent to discount. Gentry Shamburger scored to cut the lead back in half. Things got interesting when Perreault scored his second goal of the game to make it a one-goal contest. 

Unfortunately, BC was close but unable to complete the comeback. They lost 4-3. BU got their first win of the season against BC and it came at the perfect time. Now they get to play in the Beanpot Final. 

Northeastern will be looking to win for the second year in a row. Their opponent, Boston University, is hoping to grab their second win in three years. Either way, it is going to be an incredible matchup. This is one of the best events in college hockey and it lived up to the hype in the semi-final on Monday.