Three short-handed goals lifted The Boston University Terriers over the Northeastern University Huskies Monday in the 57th annual Beanpot Tournament.
The Terriers won by a final of 5-2. BU Sophomore Nick Bonino was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Northeastern Goalie Brad Theissen took home the hono of tournament's top goalie, winning the Eberly Award, given to the goalie with the top save percentage.
BU asserted their status as the nation's number one team, and remained perfect in T.D. Banknorth Garden against the Huskies.
Much more to come soon.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Terriers and Huskies to Meet in Beanpot Final
Rivals' 200th Meeting Could Be Best One Yet
Over the years, the words “Beanpot Champions” have become synonymous with The Terriers of Boston University.
The Scarlet and White essentially own the rights to the tournament, owning 28 of the 56 Beanpot titles awarded. Add this to the Terriers current success, a nation-best seven game winning streak, and it seems like the IceDogs are en route to number 29.
But the Terriers are in danger of running into the buzz saw that is the Northeastern University Huskies. The 2009 Beanpot title game will be the 200th meeting between the cross-town rivals. However, no BU-NU game has looked quite like this.
For starters, the two teams are meeting on the national stage of the Beanpot Championship game for only the tenth time. The Terriers are number one in the nation, but the Huskies are number one in Hockey East. This meeting will not count toward league standings, but it kicks off a stretch of three games in two weeks between the teams, setting the stage for what should be an epic home-and-home series later this month.
The Huskies are brimming with confidence, especially after dismantling Boston College in the Beanpot semi-final game a week ago.
NU Goaltender Brad Thiessen shined in the 6-1 victory, forcing his way into the discussions for the Hobey Baker award. Thiessen has been the central figure in the Huskies’ rise to national prominence, posting a 2.06 GAA and a .935 save percentage this season.
Despite the recent success of the Huskies, the Terriers have more than enough bright spots of their own. Rookie goaltender Kieran Millan has been nothing short of outstanding in his freshman campaign.
Millan is hoping to earn the coveted bows of the Terriers’ Dog Pound by bringing home a Beanpot, but his numbers have already endeared him to the BU faithful. Millan’s 1.62 GAA is good enough for fourth-best in the nation, and he currently has the 8th best save percentage nationally, just percentage points behind Thiessen.
The two stellar goalies shared the honor of Hockey East Co-Goaltender of the Month for January.
Historically, the Terriers have owned the Huskies, especially in the Beanpot. BU is 29-7 against NU in the tournament for Boston bragging rights, including 13 straight victories over the Huskies. BU is a perfect 9-0 against NU at T.D. Banknorth Garden, and the Terriers have not dropped a Beanpot game to the Huskies since the 1988 Championship meeting.
The last time these teams shared a sheet of ice was in November. The Terriers easily disposed of the Huskies, 3-0, in Kieran Millan’s first collegiate shut-out. Nick Bonino, Andrew Glass and Chris Higgins all scored in the win.
Since then, The Huskies have grown up a great deal. They are one of only two teams in the NCAA that has not lost consecutive games this year. They have won 4 of their last 5 games, and 7 out of 9. Most recently, NU beat Merrimack at home, 4-3.
If BU wants to climb back to the top of the Beanpot mountain, they will have to get through a much different team than the one they beat in November. This may very well be the best college hockey match-up of the year to date.
Fans lucky enough to be in attendance Monday night are in for a treat. The atmosphere will be electric, and the action on the ice should be fast-paced and tough.
There really is nothing quite like the Beanpot.
Over the years, the words “Beanpot Champions” have become synonymous with The Terriers of Boston University.
The Scarlet and White essentially own the rights to the tournament, owning 28 of the 56 Beanpot titles awarded. Add this to the Terriers current success, a nation-best seven game winning streak, and it seems like the IceDogs are en route to number 29.
But the Terriers are in danger of running into the buzz saw that is the Northeastern University Huskies. The 2009 Beanpot title game will be the 200th meeting between the cross-town rivals. However, no BU-NU game has looked quite like this.
For starters, the two teams are meeting on the national stage of the Beanpot Championship game for only the tenth time. The Terriers are number one in the nation, but the Huskies are number one in Hockey East. This meeting will not count toward league standings, but it kicks off a stretch of three games in two weeks between the teams, setting the stage for what should be an epic home-and-home series later this month.
The Huskies are brimming with confidence, especially after dismantling Boston College in the Beanpot semi-final game a week ago.
NU Goaltender Brad Thiessen shined in the 6-1 victory, forcing his way into the discussions for the Hobey Baker award. Thiessen has been the central figure in the Huskies’ rise to national prominence, posting a 2.06 GAA and a .935 save percentage this season.
Despite the recent success of the Huskies, the Terriers have more than enough bright spots of their own. Rookie goaltender Kieran Millan has been nothing short of outstanding in his freshman campaign.
Millan is hoping to earn the coveted bows of the Terriers’ Dog Pound by bringing home a Beanpot, but his numbers have already endeared him to the BU faithful. Millan’s 1.62 GAA is good enough for fourth-best in the nation, and he currently has the 8th best save percentage nationally, just percentage points behind Thiessen.
The two stellar goalies shared the honor of Hockey East Co-Goaltender of the Month for January.
Historically, the Terriers have owned the Huskies, especially in the Beanpot. BU is 29-7 against NU in the tournament for Boston bragging rights, including 13 straight victories over the Huskies. BU is a perfect 9-0 against NU at T.D. Banknorth Garden, and the Terriers have not dropped a Beanpot game to the Huskies since the 1988 Championship meeting.
The last time these teams shared a sheet of ice was in November. The Terriers easily disposed of the Huskies, 3-0, in Kieran Millan’s first collegiate shut-out. Nick Bonino, Andrew Glass and Chris Higgins all scored in the win.
Since then, The Huskies have grown up a great deal. They are one of only two teams in the NCAA that has not lost consecutive games this year. They have won 4 of their last 5 games, and 7 out of 9. Most recently, NU beat Merrimack at home, 4-3.
If BU wants to climb back to the top of the Beanpot mountain, they will have to get through a much different team than the one they beat in November. This may very well be the best college hockey match-up of the year to date.
Fans lucky enough to be in attendance Monday night are in for a treat. The atmosphere will be electric, and the action on the ice should be fast-paced and tough.
There really is nothing quite like the Beanpot.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
#1 BU Sneaks By Harvard in Beanpot Opener
Lowly Crimson Nearly Send BU To Overtime
The clock wound down on the final seconds of the opening game of Beanpot ’09. Harvard’s Alex Biega recieved a pass at the top of the left faceoff circle. He drilled a one-timer that found it’s way over Kieran Millan’s right shoulder. The Crimson players hesitated for a moment, then began the celebration on the ice. They believed they had just sent the number one team in the nation into overtime.
But Biega’s goal came a second or two too late for the hard-luck Harvard squad.
The final horn had already sounded at T.D. Banknorth Garden, and the Boston University Terriers managed to sneak away with a 4-3 victory over Harvard. The victory sends the Terriers to their 24th Beanpot final in the past 26 seasons.
Terrier Head Coach Jack Parker spoke with USCHO.com after the game, saying “The first thing I could think of as the game unwound and the buzzer went off was that this was like the Super Bowl yesterday. Who’s going to get the last shot? Who’s going to get the last chance?”
It turns out the Terriers would be the last team to score, as Jason Lawrence netted the game winning goal on the power play with just 1:46 to play.
Lawrence’s goal capped off a frantic game that saw BU come back from an early two goal deficit, showing the firepower that makes them the number one team in the nation. Sophomore Nick Bonino also scored twice to help ensure the Terriers would avoid a second straight Beanpot consolation game.
Harvard stunned the large BU crowd early on, as Alex Biega’s younger brother Michael put home a goal at 8:19 in the first.
The Terriers hole got a bit deeper at the end of the first period. Brian Strait and Vinny Saponari took penalties with 12 and 3 seconds remaining in the period respectively, setting up The Crimson with a lengthy two man advantage to begin the second frame.
Harvard took advantage of the power play, as well as some questionable officiating. Just over a minute in, BU defenseman Colby Cohen was dragged to the ice in what appeared to be a blatant trip. However, the officials opted to let play continue. With Cohen down on the ice, Crimson forward Alex Killorn swooped in and waltzed to the front of the net, putting it past Millan to give Harvard the two goal lead.
The rest of the second period belonged to BU, as the Terriers put up a whopping 17 shots in the frame. They would finally strike back mid-way through the second with a pair of goals from Nick Bonino. Bonino got the Terriers on the board at 12:13 on a pass from Brandon Yip.
The second goal would come just a minute and a half later on the power play, as senior captain Matt Gilroy found Bonino in front. Bonino used some fancy stick work to sneak it past Matt Hoyle for the tie.
The game went back and forth until the Terriers grabbed the momentum with 8:35 to go in regulation. Zach Cohen continued the best year of his collegiate career, giving the Terriers a 3-2 lead.
Harvard continued to fight back, however, when BU superstar Colin Wilson found his way to the sin bin with 5:45 to play. Just ten seconds later, Pier-Olivier Michaud silenced the BU crowd yet again, knotting the game up at three.
BU went on a power play of their own with just 2:10 left. Senior Chris Higgins found Jason Lawrence, who whistled a shot past Hoyle’s glove for what would be the game winner.
Biega made it interesting at the end, but BU prevailed.
“I knew it was no goal,” Parker told Scott Weighart of USCHO.com. “I couldn’t see what was happening in the corner, so I was watching on the Jumbotron. It was 0:00 before anybody started screaming, so I knew when they went upstairs that it would be no goal.”
The Terriers will go head-to-head with The Huskies of Northeastern University in the Beanpot Final on Monday Night. Northeastern dominated defending Beanpot Champion (and National Champion) Boston College, 6-1, to set a date with the number one ranked Terriers. The Huskies are currently ranked number three in the nation.
Before the Beanpot Final, BU will play host to U-Mass Lowell on Friday Night at Agganis Arena.
The clock wound down on the final seconds of the opening game of Beanpot ’09. Harvard’s Alex Biega recieved a pass at the top of the left faceoff circle. He drilled a one-timer that found it’s way over Kieran Millan’s right shoulder. The Crimson players hesitated for a moment, then began the celebration on the ice. They believed they had just sent the number one team in the nation into overtime.
But Biega’s goal came a second or two too late for the hard-luck Harvard squad.
The final horn had already sounded at T.D. Banknorth Garden, and the Boston University Terriers managed to sneak away with a 4-3 victory over Harvard. The victory sends the Terriers to their 24th Beanpot final in the past 26 seasons.
Terrier Head Coach Jack Parker spoke with USCHO.com after the game, saying “The first thing I could think of as the game unwound and the buzzer went off was that this was like the Super Bowl yesterday. Who’s going to get the last shot? Who’s going to get the last chance?”
It turns out the Terriers would be the last team to score, as Jason Lawrence netted the game winning goal on the power play with just 1:46 to play.
Lawrence’s goal capped off a frantic game that saw BU come back from an early two goal deficit, showing the firepower that makes them the number one team in the nation. Sophomore Nick Bonino also scored twice to help ensure the Terriers would avoid a second straight Beanpot consolation game.
Harvard stunned the large BU crowd early on, as Alex Biega’s younger brother Michael put home a goal at 8:19 in the first.
The Terriers hole got a bit deeper at the end of the first period. Brian Strait and Vinny Saponari took penalties with 12 and 3 seconds remaining in the period respectively, setting up The Crimson with a lengthy two man advantage to begin the second frame.
Harvard took advantage of the power play, as well as some questionable officiating. Just over a minute in, BU defenseman Colby Cohen was dragged to the ice in what appeared to be a blatant trip. However, the officials opted to let play continue. With Cohen down on the ice, Crimson forward Alex Killorn swooped in and waltzed to the front of the net, putting it past Millan to give Harvard the two goal lead.
The rest of the second period belonged to BU, as the Terriers put up a whopping 17 shots in the frame. They would finally strike back mid-way through the second with a pair of goals from Nick Bonino. Bonino got the Terriers on the board at 12:13 on a pass from Brandon Yip.
The second goal would come just a minute and a half later on the power play, as senior captain Matt Gilroy found Bonino in front. Bonino used some fancy stick work to sneak it past Matt Hoyle for the tie.
The game went back and forth until the Terriers grabbed the momentum with 8:35 to go in regulation. Zach Cohen continued the best year of his collegiate career, giving the Terriers a 3-2 lead.
Harvard continued to fight back, however, when BU superstar Colin Wilson found his way to the sin bin with 5:45 to play. Just ten seconds later, Pier-Olivier Michaud silenced the BU crowd yet again, knotting the game up at three.
BU went on a power play of their own with just 2:10 left. Senior Chris Higgins found Jason Lawrence, who whistled a shot past Hoyle’s glove for what would be the game winner.
Biega made it interesting at the end, but BU prevailed.
“I knew it was no goal,” Parker told Scott Weighart of USCHO.com. “I couldn’t see what was happening in the corner, so I was watching on the Jumbotron. It was 0:00 before anybody started screaming, so I knew when they went upstairs that it would be no goal.”
The Terriers will go head-to-head with The Huskies of Northeastern University in the Beanpot Final on Monday Night. Northeastern dominated defending Beanpot Champion (and National Champion) Boston College, 6-1, to set a date with the number one ranked Terriers. The Huskies are currently ranked number three in the nation.
Before the Beanpot Final, BU will play host to U-Mass Lowell on Friday Night at Agganis Arena.
Monday, February 2, 2009
57th Beanpot Kicks Off at T.D. Banknorth Garden
It's the first Monday in February, and that means only one thing for sports fans.
No, not SuperBowl Hangover Day.
It's Beanpot Monday here in Boston, as the biggest tournament in College Hockey is set to begin. The Beanpot features the four premiere Boston College Hockey squads, as Boston University, Boston College, Northeastern University and Harvard University all battle for Beantown Bragging Rights.
BU has come out on top more than any other squad, winning an incredible 28 of the 56 Beanpot Titles. However, the Terriers were bested last season by the Eagles of Boston College. BC won just about everything last year en route to a National Championship.
The Terriers came into the 2008-09 season with a stellar recruiting class, a pair of senior captians, and a first round draft pick. While BU may have dreams of their own March Madness, the Beanpot is first and foremost on everyone's mind.
While the Beanpot is historically BU's Tournament, Northeastern is hoping to give the IceDogs a run for their money. Although the Huskies are currently the not-so-proud owners of the longest Beanpot drought, they come into the 2009 tourney with a very real chance of grabbing their first banner since 1988.
Before the Terriers can think about Eagles or Huskies, they must first battle the Crimson of Harvard. BU vs. BC may be the flashiest rivalry in town, but BU vs. Harvard also goes back a long way.
BU first played against Harvard in the 1922 season at the Boston Arena (now Northeastern's Matthews Arena), where Harvard won 2-0. The clubs have met 139 times in their history.
The Terriers have won 15 of the 19 Beanpot contests between the two teams, including the last five meetings.
The last time BU faced off against Harvard was early last season, when Harvard defeated BU 2-1 in overtime at Agganis Arena.
BU's special teams could be the difference in the latest match-up. The Terriers enter the game with the best power play in the nation, and the fifth ranked penalty kill. The Crimson currently have the nations 47th ranked penalty kill. BU is also riding a 49:21 long streak without yielding a power play goal.
The Crimson have had an incredibly disappointing year, putting up just 5 wins to this point. All five victories have come in ECAC contests.
A Terriers win would not only put the IceDogs back in the Beanpot Final, it would be their 6th consecutive win, and their 13th in the last 15 games.
Stats show that this tournament belongs to BU. But that's why they play the games.
Listen to the game live at WTBURADIO.org
No, not SuperBowl Hangover Day.
It's Beanpot Monday here in Boston, as the biggest tournament in College Hockey is set to begin. The Beanpot features the four premiere Boston College Hockey squads, as Boston University, Boston College, Northeastern University and Harvard University all battle for Beantown Bragging Rights.
BU has come out on top more than any other squad, winning an incredible 28 of the 56 Beanpot Titles. However, the Terriers were bested last season by the Eagles of Boston College. BC won just about everything last year en route to a National Championship.
The Terriers came into the 2008-09 season with a stellar recruiting class, a pair of senior captians, and a first round draft pick. While BU may have dreams of their own March Madness, the Beanpot is first and foremost on everyone's mind.
While the Beanpot is historically BU's Tournament, Northeastern is hoping to give the IceDogs a run for their money. Although the Huskies are currently the not-so-proud owners of the longest Beanpot drought, they come into the 2009 tourney with a very real chance of grabbing their first banner since 1988.
Before the Terriers can think about Eagles or Huskies, they must first battle the Crimson of Harvard. BU vs. BC may be the flashiest rivalry in town, but BU vs. Harvard also goes back a long way.
BU first played against Harvard in the 1922 season at the Boston Arena (now Northeastern's Matthews Arena), where Harvard won 2-0. The clubs have met 139 times in their history.
The Terriers have won 15 of the 19 Beanpot contests between the two teams, including the last five meetings.
The last time BU faced off against Harvard was early last season, when Harvard defeated BU 2-1 in overtime at Agganis Arena.
BU's special teams could be the difference in the latest match-up. The Terriers enter the game with the best power play in the nation, and the fifth ranked penalty kill. The Crimson currently have the nations 47th ranked penalty kill. BU is also riding a 49:21 long streak without yielding a power play goal.
The Crimson have had an incredibly disappointing year, putting up just 5 wins to this point. All five victories have come in ECAC contests.
A Terriers win would not only put the IceDogs back in the Beanpot Final, it would be their 6th consecutive win, and their 13th in the last 15 games.
Stats show that this tournament belongs to BU. But that's why they play the games.
Listen to the game live at WTBURADIO.org
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