Consolation games are hardly memorable. But for the Northeastern University men’s ice hockey team, a meaningless game in early February just might serve as a springboard for future Beanpot success.
The Huskies (11-14-4) defeated Harvard University (9-14-1) last night, 3-1, to take third place in the 55th Annual Beanpot Tournament at TD Banknorth Garden.
“Our freshmen and sophomores felt the weight of [Beanpot] pressure this year. Next year, we need to be in the finals to truly enjoy this tournament,” said NU coach Greg Cronin. “This was an important game for our group . . . it was a must-win.”
The teams in the scoreless first period came out flat, with both goaltenders carrying their teams early. Harvard netminder Justin Tobe made 17 saves in the period, while NU’s Brad Thessien countered with 14 stops.
Both teams began to show signs of a pulse early in the second period. After a thwarted breakaway attempt in the NU end, Huskies’ forward Ray Ortiz received a pass in the neutral zone and jetted down the far side, ripping a slapshot from the circle through Tobe’s legs at 3:46. The goal was only Ortiz’s second on the season, with forwards Joe Santilli and Yale Lewis assisting on the tally.
Harvard’s Alex Meintel quickly erased the deficit at 8:52 with his 10th score of the year. The senior winger collected the puck near the blue line and broke toward the near circle in the NU end, blasting an Ortiz-like slapshot past Thessien’s five-hole.
The Huskies regained the lead on a bizarre play at 15:54. Defenseman Steve Birnstill unloaded an errant shot to the left of the Crimson net, but the puck ricocheted back to the immediate right of Tobe. The senior goaltender frantically dove after the puck, only to nudge home the Huskies’ second goal of the game.
NU secured its third-place finish midway through the third period. Santilli, streaking in to the right of Tobe, left a cross-ice drop pass for center Ray Rassey, who fired a blistering slapshot into the right side of the Crimson net. Santilli, who earned an assist, finished with a game-high two points.
Tobe, a senior, made 23 saves in his first action since Dec. 29.
“Justin played well and battled,” said Harvard coach Ted Donato. “We would have liked to have had better defense in front of him. But this was a good opportunity for him to play.”
Thessien, who compiled 25 saves, completed his Beanpot baptism with five goals allowed and a .921 save percentage in two contests.
“Thessien was excellent
. . . he came up with some big saves,” Donato said. “[Northeastern] played a solid and smart game. We didn’t do a lot of the little things you need to have success. Northeastern is a good team who plays very good defense.”
Donato admitted the church-like atmosphere in the sparse crowd played a factor in the contest.
“This is an odd game,” Donato said. “It’s difficult because of the letdown from [last Monday], but there should be no letdown games.”
Cronin, however, thought his team rose above expectations in earning the consolation game victory.
“Most of these games have a sloppy undertone,” Cronin said. “But I thought we played pretty sharp.”
“You’re playing for pride,” Santilli said. “Today was huge to get back on track . . . it was a good step in the right direction.”
So what exactly does the NU program need to do in order to compete for a tournament title? The answer is very simple in Cronin’s mind. He believes Beanpot success is directly related to confidence.
“We need to get players that think they can win,” Cronin said.