Nick Cardamone Yes, Boston College has beaten BU three times this year. Yes, this BC team just beat the University of Maine, one of the top teams in college hockey, in Orono on Friday. Yes, BC is the top-scoring team in Hockey East and the third-best defensive team in Hockey East.
And yes, BU will capture its 25th Beanpot title.
This is the Beanpot final, and BU has always shown the ability to bring home the Beanpot, even in years where they may not be the best team in the tournament.
BU has some good big-game players, guys like Freddy Meyer and Justin Maiser, who can raise their game when the stakes are highest. With Sean Fields playing better than probably any goalie in Hockey East right now, the Terriers have the netminding, and the defense has been superb of late. If the Terriers can continue to opportunistically grab goals, the ‘Pot will be staying at Babcock Street. BU 3, Boston College 1
Russell Rubin The MBTA’s Green Line ‘B’ trains run right through the heart and soul of the Boston University campus. This year’s Beanpot will have to take a similar path before any Boston College Eagles may dream of touching the hardware. Three impressive wins in just over a week, including two shutouts, the Terriers are equipped with an even bigger roadblock than the last time these rivals met. Returning recently to a more physical style of hockey, Boston University has battered its opponents and let its defense do the talking. Allowing only one goal in three games, the Terriers are finally obeying Coach Parker’s orders. Here’s my order: BC Eagles for dinner. BU 4, Boston College 3
Noah Coslov BU/BC IV Rocky IV it’s all the same. For once, Boston University is considered an underdog entering the Beanpot Championship.
There is a lot to be said about someone who doesn’t say much at all Sean Fields. The junior goaltender has given up just one goal in his last three hours of hockey.
Here’s how I see it happening: BC will score first on a slapper from defenseman Andrew Alberts, but Justin Maiser will tie it up in the first period. After Ryan Whitney gives the Terriers a 2-1 lead, BC gets its chances later in the second, but Fields responds. Dave Spina ties up the game in the third setting the stage for Terrier heroics. With four minutes left, Bryan Miller’s shot is deflected in front and cleaned up and stuffed home by Brian Collins giving the Terrier’s their 25th Beanpot title. BU 3, Boston College 2
Dave D’Onofrio From Jerry York and Jack Parker, from John Cunniff and Jack O’Callahan, from Tim Kelleher and Chris Kelleher, kids from Cleveland Circle to Kenmore Square will be watching, just as they have for the past 50 years, to see if it will be the Dugout or Mary Ann’s hosting the raucous ripper running late into tonight. The last time the tournament was held on Feb. 10, in 1997, it was BC and BU on the ice for the late game. That time, and in fact, the last three times the final has been held on Feb. 10, BU skated off as the victors. BC has the better talent at the top, BU has the better talent top to bottom and when it’s all said and done, BU will have the better postgame, skating the ‘Pot atop their high-held hands after a 5-3 win. BU 5, Boston College 3