Beanpot 2013: BC defeats Northeastern for 4th consecutive Pot

Boston College defeated Northeastern 6-3 for the school's fourth consecutive Beanpot Monday night at the TD Garden.

Beanpot 2013: Eagles explode for four goals, up 4-1 after 2

Four goals in the final 9:03 of the period gave BC a commanding 4-1 lead after 40 minutes.

Beanpot 2013: Eagles, Huskies scoreless after 1 period

Boston College and Northeastern are scoreless after 20 minutes in the Beanpot Final.

Beanpot 2013: Consolation still a meaningful game for BU

It is never easy playing in a consolation game. The game is usually played in front of a sparse crowd with less meaning or purpose than the usual game. Harvard has very little left to play for with the disappointing season they have endured. Boston University has more at stake, since they are on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament, currently sitting 13th in the Pairwise Rankings.

According to several reports, BU coach Jack Parker has shuffled some lines and power play units during the past week. Freshman Sean Maguire will start in net tonight. Maguire and O'Connor have rotated for much of the season so the decision is not a surprise.

Looking at the Crimson, there is not much to play for tonight except pride. Harvard is in last place in the ECAC, and Ted Donato's squad has won only one game since November 16th. Ironically, the win came against BU in a non-conference tilt at the beginning of January.

BU must utilize their skill and play with passion, knowing their NCAA hopes could be in peril if they slip up once more against an inferior opponent. However, as said before, anything can happen in the Beanpot even in the consolation game.

Jeff Cox is a Hockey East reporter for SBNation and will have live updates throughout tonight's consolation game and finals here and on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.

Beanpot 2013: BC, Northeastern meet in final

When Boston College and Northeastern take to the ice Monday night at 7:30 in the championship game of the 61st annual Beanpot, it will be a match-up of two teams that could not be more different.

BC, winner of three of the last five NCAA Championships and three consecutive Beanpots, sits in first place in Hockey East and is regarded as one of the top teams in the entire nation. Legendary head coach Jerry York is now the all-time career-wins leader among NCAA hockey coaches.

The Huskies, on the other hand, are in last place in Hockey East with very little Beanpot history outside of the 1980s. After last Monday's opening round in which Northeastern upset BU, coach Jim Madigan wanted to deflect all stories about history or lack thereof.

History tells us BC is superior, and the match-up on paper indicates BC is the more elite team. But, on the second Monday in February the history and all the records can be thrown out the window. Plus, Northeastern has already proven they can beat BC this season. In the second game of the season NU beat BC 3-1.

BC will certainly have the overall talent advantage, especially up front with five highly skilled forwards that can light up an opposing goaltender at any time. Leading that group is sophomore Johnny Gaudreau who was held scoreless in the 4-1 win over Harvard during the opening round. Senior Steven Whitney is one of those elite forwards. The Reading, MA native had a highlight-reel snipe to put the icing on the cake last Monday. Fourth line role player Quinn Smith chipped in for two goals, including the game-winner against Harvard.

Northeastern will counter with freshman Kevin Roy, the NCAA leader in rookie scoring. The Anaheim Ducks draft pick has 15 goals and 15 assists. His 1.25 points per game ranks him 12th nationally. Roy provided all the heroics in the win over BU, scoring three times, the first hat trick in a Beanpot since NU's Mike Ryan recorded the trick in 2002.

The place where BC holds the biggest advantage is on the blue line. Even with an injury depleted defense, the Eagles back line is vastly superior to NU. Leading the way is freshman Michael Matheson and senior Patrick Wey. Matheson, a Florida Panthers draft choice, had a booming slapshot goal to make it 3-0 in the semifinal last Monday.

Northeastern also has some injury concerns on defense. Freshman Colton Saucerman has been a fan favorite from the beginning of the season. He plays with an edge, and his seven points lead all NU defensemen. Sophomore Josh Manson also provides a big presence on the blueline.

The goaltending match-up will pit two seniors against each other in the championship game. Parker Milner for BC and Chris Rawlings for Northeastern will attempt to backstop their respective teams to a Beanpot title. Milner has been fairly consistent and has been nearly unstoppable at times, evidenced by his 19 game winning streak to cap last year's NCAA championship season. Rawlings has been terrific at times, but has struggled with consistency and focus throughout his NU career. There is little doubt Rawlings can make the big save, but the question most NU faithful are asking is can he make the routine stop to keep the Huskies in the game.

Sometime late Monday night, there will be a champion crowned in this historic tournament. Will it be the Eagles making it four straight or will it be the Huskies for the first time since 1988?

Beanpot 2013: Eagles cruise to 4-1 victory

Steven Whitney added a tally to make the final score 4-1 in favor of Boston College. The Eagles will meet Northeastern next Monday night in the Beanpot Finals. BC has now defeated Harvard 10 consecutive times in the tournament.

Beanpot 2013: Biega scores, BC still ahead 3-1

Senior captain Danny Biega scored his first goal of the season at 9:17 of the final stanza to cut the BC lead down to 3-1. It was a slapshot from the left point that found the back of the twine. The senior captain from Montreal, property of the Carolina Hurricanes, is the third of his brothers to wear the Harvard sweater.

Beanpot 2013: Eagles take commanding 3-0 lead after 2

Sophomore Quinn Smith scored his second goal of the night to propel the Eagles to a 2-0 lead before Michael Matheson scored on the power play with under a minute to go to add to the lead.

Smith, a fourth line left winger, scored on an uncontested shot from the left side with just under two minutes to play in the second. It was his second of the night and fourth of the season.

Matheson's blast from just above the right circle on the power play made it 3-0 with under a minute to go in the second frame. The hulking freshman defenseman has now tallied five goals on the season.

Harvard junior goaltender Raphael Girard is seeing a lot of rubber. The Saint-Hyacinthe, Que. native has stopped 28 of 31 through two periods. There has been very little sustained pressure in the BC defensive end since the beginning of the first.

Beanpot 2013: Late goal gives Eagles 1-0 lead after 20 minutes

A late goal by Boston College sophomore Quinn Smith gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead after the first period. The Eagles took a while to get going, but finally got on track and dominated the last half of the frame.

Smith scored a goal from in tight which he lifted over Harvard goaltender Raphael Girard. The score came after a failed clearing attempt.

For Harvard, the goal has to be demoralizing. Ted Donato's club played well for much of the period, but all the momentum will swing in BC's favor with the late tally.

Beanpot 2013: Eagles heading to the PP

With 3:13 to go in the first period, Boston College is heading to the power play following a holding call on Harvard senior Brendan Rempel.

Beanpot 2013: BC, Harvard scoreless in 1st

Boston College and Harvard are squaring off in the nightcap of the 61st Annual Beanpot Tournament for the right to face Northeastern next Monday night.

Harvard is starting junior Raphael Girard while BC counters with senior Parker Milner.

Halfway through the first period, Harvard has had some good opportunities to pot a goal, but haven't found the back of the net. The Eagles appear to be the faster team, but have only mustered two shots on goal so far.

Beanpot 2013: Huskies win 3-2

Boston University was able to cut the lead to 3-2 with just over a minute to play in regulation, but could not get any closer. Sahir Gill notched the Terrier goal on a feed from Matt Grzelcyk.

Check back shortly for a full game recap following post-game press conferences.

Beanpot 2013: Roy's hat trick gives NU 3-1 lead

With 4:38 to go in regulation, Kevin Roy's third goal of the game has given Northeastern a 3-1 lead. It was the freshman's first career hat trick. The goal came after sustained pressure from BU at the other end.

Beanpot 2013: Huskies penalty kill holds tight

Through two periods of play at the 61st Annual Beanpot, Northeastern leads Boston University 2-1 on the strength of two Kevin Roy goals.

Roy, the freshman forward from Lac -Beauport, Quebec, now has 14 goals on the season to go along with his 15 assists. The Anaheim draft pick has been the main generator of offense for the Huskies.

The Huskies had to kill a two-man advantage and the first half of another man advantage in the last three minutes of the period.

BU will start the final stanza with 58 seconds of a man advantage with Josh Manson still in the box for boarding. Shots on goal are remain in favor of BU 21-19.

Beanpot 2013: Huskies take 2-1 lead

Northeastern had some very good chances on a power play, but could not convert. The duo of Vinny Saponari and Kevin Roy are creating the vast majority of the offensive chances for the Huskies.

Braden Pimm's second penalty of the game gave BU a power play midway through the 2nd period. The Terriers failed to succeed on the man advantage.

With 7:24 to go in the 2nd period, Kevin Roy notched his second of the night to give the Huskies a 2-1 lead. An errant pass by Ben Rosen led to the unassisted goal.

Shots on goal are 18-16 in favor of the Terriers.

Beanpot 2013: Boston University, Northeastern tied 1-1 after one

After one period of play, Northeastern and Boston University are tied at 1. Both goals were scored on transition plays up ice. The Huskies struck first just 2:09 into the game when freshman Kevin Roy made a nifty move in close and jammed it past BU goaltender Matt O'Connor. It was Roy's 13th goal of the season. Vinny Saponari was credited with the helper. A little over three minutes later, the Terriers evened the score when Danny O'Regan converted on a 2-on-1 with Wade Megan. It was the freshman's 10th of the season. Evan Rodrigues picked up the other assist. Two penalties were called on Northeastern while one was called on Boston University. Shots in the period were 12-10 in favor of the Terriers.

Beanpot Notebook: Madigan, banged up Huskies still confident; BC, BU updates

Despite the Huskies' historical struggles in the Beanpot, Jim Madigan and Northeastern have set their sights on victory on Monday night against BU - a full recap and notes from Wednesday's Tournament Luncheon at TD Garden.