BOSTON - It's Boston College and Boston University, which is exactly the way it should be. BC and BU both won their semifinal games in the opening round of the 2012 Beanpot on Monday night at TD Garden, setting up the 21st showdown between the Eagles and Terriers in the Beanpot's championship game. BU is 12-8 all-time against BC in the title game.
"Every Beanpot final is just as exciting, [but] playing BU is a little bit of a bonus," said Eagles junior forward Steven Whitney, who had a pair of goals in Boston College's win on Monday. "The past two years have been fun. I know this year is going to be just as intense and even more fun because it's BU."
The Eagles have won the last two Beanpot titles, winning 7-6 in overtime against Northeastern last season and beating the Terriers, 4-3, the year before. BC is seeking its fourth Beanpot championship in five seasons and 17th overall. As for BU, it is looking for its first Beanpot title since the 2008-09 season, when it bested Northeastern 5-2. The Terriers have won a record 29 championships and are now 85-34.
Boston College (17-10-1) heads to the title game after obliterating Northeastern, 7-1, in the second semifinal game on Monday at TD Garden. The seven goals matched the Eagles' offensive output against the Huskies in their last Beanpot meeting, which came in the championship game one year ago. Also, BC's seven goals tied a Beanpot record for most goals in a semifinal game. Paul Carey, Johnny Gaudreau and Whitney all scored two goals.
"I thought the first period, certainly, Northeastern had the edge in play," said Boston College head coach Jerry York. "We were back on our heels a little bit and were very fortunate to come out of that [up] 2-1. They scored a really well executed 5-on-3 goal on us. I thought our team came out and did very well in the second and third period."
Boston University (17-8-1), meanwhile, punched its ticket to the championship game with a 3-1 win over the Harvard Crimson in the first game of the tournament. Matt Nieto scored the game's first goal (and his 11th goal of the season) in the first period and Wade Megan potted two goals, both in the second period, to account for the Terriers' scoring. Alex Killorn had the only goal for Harvard on a power play near the end of the middle period.
"First of all, I don't think either team played their best game tonight," said Boston University head coach Jack Parker (via USCHO.com). "Neither team seemed to be that engaged. There were some good plays and some nice goals scored, and Harvard stormed us in the last few minutes, but in general, it was a sleepwalk."
The championship game will be the one that draws the most attention on the final day of the Beanpot next Monday (7:30 p.m. EDT), as it should be, but Harvard and Northeastern will also meet earlier in the day in the consolation game, which begins at 4:30 p.m. Similar to the semifinals, NESN will televise both Beanpot games this coming Monday.
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