Colin White (15) scored his second career Beanpot goal against Northeastern

In nearly a quarter-century, Harvard had not won the Beanpot and BC had not finished less than 3rd. Last night, Harvard won the title and BC lost to finish last, both for the first time since 1993. BC Coach Jerry York had never lost a Beanpot consolation game before last night.

BC and Northeastern were tied with about a minute to go, when David Cotton scored to put the Eagles ahead, 3-2. But the goal was disallowed because of goalie interference, a call disputed by Coach York. Northeastern turned the game around with a quick score under a minute and added its 4th into an empty BC net.

The Eagles fell to 18-12-2 (13-4-1). They remain in front of Hockey East but fell to #11 in the national rankings and are “on the bubble” for selection to the NCAAs. BC plays #16 Vermont twice, Friday and Saturday, at Conte Forum and ends the regular season with a home-and-home against #6 UMass-Lowell on February 23 and 24.

The #6 BC women’s hockey team won the Beanpot last night, defeating Northeastern, 2-1. It was the Eagles’ 2nd Beanpot win in a row, 3rd crown in the last 4 Beanpots, and 7th title overall.

Redshirt freshman Erin Connolly celebrates game-winning goal.

The game was scoreless through the first two periods. Northeastern opened the scoring early in the period and Kristyn Capizzano tied the score midway through. On a BC power play with just over 2 minutes to go in the game, defenseman Erin Connolly, Beanpot MVP, scored the game- and title-winner. Connolly had 2 assist in the opening round win over BU.

Last Friday, the Eagles took another trophy, clinching the Hockey East regular season championship. BC (21-3-5) (15-2-3) plays Northeastern again Friday and Vermont Sunday before ending the regular season with a home-and-home against Providence February 18-19. The Hockey East Tournament begins February 23.

BC leads the nation with a 17-game unbeaten streak (14-0-3). The last time the Eagles lost was to BU, 5-3, on November 5.

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.