O’Regan’s clutch overtime strike helps push Terriers past Crimson, older brother in Beanpot semifinal tilt

In the days prior to the No. 2/3 Boston University men’s hockey team’s tilt against No. 4/6 Harvard University in the semifinal round of the 63rd Beanpot Tournament, junior forward Danny O’Regan was frank when talking about the task at hand going into yet another match against his older brother, Crimson forward Tommy O’Regan.

“I’m going into it like it’s any other game, because I’m just trying to win a Beanpot,” O’Regan told The Daily Free Press Feb. 3. “If I have to take down my brother, I’m going to have to.”

Ever since both brothers first faced off as collegiate adversaries on Jan. 9, 2013, Tommy and the Crimson (12-6-2) have wiped the floor against Danny and the Terriers (17-4-4, 11-2-2 Hockey East), posting a 5-0 record whilst outscoring BU by a 9-17 margin leading into Tuesday night’s showdown at TD Garden.

On the biggest stage, however, the younger O’Regan would get the last laugh.

With both squads stuck in a 3-3 deadlock that carried over into a second overtime period, Danny finally got over the hump against his older sibling and BU’s Ivy League foe, notching the game-winning goal at 2:18 in the fifth period of play to send BU to its first Beanpot championship game since the 2011-12 campaign.

“Definitely a special feeling,” O’Regan said when asked about finally earning a victory against his brother. “I was 0-for my first five. This is probably the biggest one, so I guess I saved the best for last. And it was just a great game. Really excited to get to the Beanpot final.”

While Danny’s overtime strike might have closed out the nearly four-hour marathon, the San Jose Sharks prospect struggled with getting quality looks against Harvard netminder Steve Michalek, totaling three shots on net over the first 60 minutes of play.

But once the match shifted into overtime, the Needham native was a constant threat in Harvard’s zone, totaling three shots in just over 22 minutes of extended play.

Danny’s best bid against Michalek might have actually formulated during the first overtime period, when he received the puck right near the Harvard crease.

With Michalek stationed near the left side of the net, the younger O’Regan appeared to have a clear shot into Crimson netting. Danny’s potential clinching score was halted though, with Harvard blueliner Brayden Jaw absorbing the quick wrister with his body, keeping the game tied at 3-3.

The Crimson would not emerge as lucky during Danny’s next attempt on goal.

Looking to regroup in its own zone, Harvard co-captain Kyle Criscuolo skated along the right boards and laced a cross-ice pass that was intercepted by BU senior assistant captain Evan Rodrigues. Rodrigues maneuvered his way into the right circle before forcing the puck over to an advancing O’Regan.

Less than a half-second later, the puck was in the Harvard net — the byproduct of a one-time tap-in score from O’Regan that eked its way through Michalek’s legs to hand BU the dramatic victory.

O’Regan’s 18th goal of the season now gives him four career points (two goals, two assists) in five career Beanpot games, as well as seven points in six contests against his brother and the Crimson.

Tommy, who has posted one point in five games this season for Harvard, was able to put two pucks on net against BU junior goaltender Matt O’Connor, but was unable to get on the scoresheet Tuesday night.

Danny said the primary focus is eventually hoisting the Beanpot on the TD Garden ice, but the junior also acknowledged that he won’t be forgetting about his triumph over his brother anytime soon.

“Obviously, it’s been a dream my whole life to win [the Beanpot], so first step was today, which happened to be against my brother, which I’ll make sure not to bring up too much at home,” O’Regan said. “It was definitely a great game.”