Beanpot Monday

Now that the Super Bowl is over, it's time to focus on the real sports entertainment for the week: the Beanpot. Yup, believe it or not, it's that time of year again. BU faces Boston College in the late game tonight, while Harvard and Northeastern square off in game one.

2012 BU-BC Final
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

 BC has taken the first two meetings this season, 5-1, 6-4 and since losing to Holy Cross back on November 29, BC is 11-0-1. Johnny Gaudreau continues to lead Boston College (and the nation) in scoring. In 26 games, the junior from Carneys Point, New Jersey has 23 goals, 28 assists for 51 points... He had 51 points all of last season. The last time Gaudreau was held pointless in game was October 27th at Minnesota.

Tonight, BC will start Thatcher Demko in goal. Demko backstopped the Eagles in the first Battle for Comm Ave this year. On the year, Demko has an 8-1-2 record in 11 appearances with a .927 save percentage and a 1.98 goals against average.

Matt O'Connor will be in net for BU after his impressive performance at UMass on Friday night. He was also the goalie in the first matchup with BC.

History
Since 1999, BU and BC have met five times on the first night of the Beanpot. BU won the first three, BC the last two. In '99 Russ Bartlett scored in overtime for the Terriers on a diving play on a two on one (video). 2002 was the most convincing win of the five games played, as BU topped the Eagles 5-3. The 2005 meeting was definitely the improbable win for the Terriers. Starting goalie (and now BU Hall of Famer) John Curry was out with an injury and so long time backup Sephan Siwiec got the start. Siwiec made 36 saves as BU stole a 3-1 win...they were out shot 37-18. John Laliberte scored two goals for BU that night.

2008 saw BC win their first semi final matchup with BU since 1981. Nathan Gerbe netted the overtime winner to give BC a 4-3 victory. BC beat Harvard 6-5 in overtime in the championship game to win their first title since 2004. The most recent First Round meeting was 2011 and once again it went to overtime. BU's Ryan Ruikka took a penalty less than three minutes into overtime to put BC on the power play. Tommy Cross stuck from the point to send BC to the final.

The last six meetings (both rounds included) between the two schools have been one goal games. The last multi-goal decision was 2005.

Predictions
BC 4, BU 2
NU 5, Harvard 2

Final: BC 3, NU 1