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.