With an organist accompanying the game and nonstop cheering from a hockey-crazed crowd, nearly 500 students transformed Metcalf Hall into the next-best thing to the FleetCenter for Terriers’ fans last night.
The crowd watched Boston University beat Boston College, 5-3, last night in the first round of the 50th annual Beanpot tournament, where Boston teams compete for city supremacy. The game, played at the FleetCenter, was televised at Metcalf on a giant 20-foot TV screen.
Several BU organizations collaborated to coordinate the event. Campus Dining Services provided free popcorn and pretzels. Vending Services donated free beverages. The Student Activities Office organized a raffle, giving away prizes throughout the game, including luxury box tickets to a Bruins game and autographed Terrier jerseys.
In between groans, exclamations and cries of “Come on!” students spoke of the Terriers with pride.
“You can’t come to BU without hearing about Terrier hockey,” said Rose Grenier, a College of Arts and Sciences freshman.
At the end of the first period, with BC ahead by 1, students still had faith in the Terriers.
“I know that BU is going to come back really strong. BC has just been getting lucky,” said CAS freshman Neela Swaminathan.
When the Terriers tied up the game at the beginning of the second period, Metcalf Hall erupted in a torrent of screams.
“I told you!” Swaminathan shouted.
By the end of the second quarter, with BU and BC tied 2-2, students were extremely positive.
“I think we’re doing really well,” said CAS freshman Joanna Benevides. “I’m sure we’ll pull ahead in the next quarter.”
After the Terriers took the lead in the third period, the shouts of excitement filled Metcalf Hall with an air of school pride and spirit.
“I knew they’d win!” said CAS senior Mike Lynch.
CAS freshman Magellan Casto said she wished she could have gone to the FleetCenter but was still happy to see the game at the GSU.
“My friend went down to Case at 6 a.m. to get tickets, but they were already sold out,” she said. “This is still a great way to see them play.”
“I didn’t want to trek down to Case at four in the morning to get tickets to the FleetCenter,” said Nicole Reimers, a freshman in the Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. “This is just as good.”
Carolyn Norris, director of the Student Activities Office, said she was extremely satisfied with the event.
“The game was great and I was happy with the incredible turnout,” she said. “We will definitely do this again.”
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