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