BC defenseman Scott Savage, from San Clemente, upends a Terrier in the Beanpot opening round.

For the first time in a decade, BU beat BC’s men’s hockey team in the Beanpot. Last night, the Terriers scored first and held the Eagles in check in the opening and closing periods, winning 3-1. BC had only 2 shots on goal in the first period, and 5 in the third. The Eagles’ 16 shots in the second period resulted in only one goal.

BC will play Northeastern next Monday in the Beanpot consolation.

The Eagles had beaten the Terriers a record six times in a row in the Beanpot before yesterday, including 3 times in the final and 1-0 in overtime last season. This year, BU has swept the series, beating BC in each of their 3 meetings. The Eagles have scored a total of only 2 goals in those 3 games.

BC fans may remember that the Eagles can come back from a losing record against the Terriers. In 2006, BU had beaten BC 4 out of 5 times, including for the Beanpot and Hockey East championships. Meeting in the NCAA Regional tournament in Worcester, the Eagles romped over BU, 5-0. The game produced one of my favorite pictures of BU fans, at left.

The Eagles remain #1 in Hockey East, 3 points ahead of BU. They have 6 games remaining, including the Beanpot consolation, before the Hockey East tournament begins March 3.

The BC women’s hockey team, ranked #6 in the country, plays Northeastern tonight in the women’s Beanpot Championship game. The Eagles had defeated BU in the opening round.