BOSTON — Northeastern took home its third consecutive Beanpot after defeating Boston University, 5-4, in double overtime in front 17,850 rabid fans at TD Garden.
Montreal Canadiens prospect Jordan Harris scored a power-play goal at the 14:33 mark of the second overtime. Senior Zach Solow was named Beanpot MVP and graduate student Craig Pantano took home the Eberle Award as the goaltender with the top save percentage in the tournament.
Boston University took a 2-0 lead before Northeastern scored four unanswered goals in the second period to take a 4-2 advantage into the third period. The Terriers fought back to send the game to overtime, including the game-tying goal with just over a second to play in regulation.
It was one of the most entertaining and thrilling college hockey games I’ve seen in quite a long time. The game was filled with momentum changes, tense moments and top prospects shining through.
“I thought it was a great hockey game. They pushed. We pushed. They pushed back. It was back and forth. From my end, it was a great Beanpot game. The fans were great. It was electric,” said Northeastern head coach Jim Madigan.
Northeastern had never won three Beanpot Tournaments a row until Monday night. It’s further proof that Madigan and his coaching staff are building the best program in Boston. The Huskies are no longer the pushover of the four hockey-playing Division I programs in the city.
NHL prospects shine
The sold-out crowd at the TD Garden was treated to some spectacular individual play from future NHL players. In the championship game, every time Boston University freshman Trevor Zegras touched the puck, it was edge-of-your-seat viewing.
The Bedford, N.Y., native and ninth overall pick of the Anaheim Ducks scored twice. Zegras possesses the skill and vision to be able to make a play each time the puck is on his stick.
Zegras received a 10-minute misconduct at the conclusion of the game for voicing his displeasure with the referees for calling a penalty that led to the winner in double overtime. I like that he showed some emotion. I’d much rather see a player show how he feels than act robotic.
Northeastern sophomore Tyler Madden, a third-round pick of Vancouver in 2018, isn’t quite as skilled, but he’s a scintillating player who drives his team’s offense. He had NU’s first goal of the game to start the comeback in the second period.
A fellow Canucks’ prospect, freshman Aidan McDonough, had a goal and three assists, including the primary on Harris’ overtime tally.
Harris and Chicago Blackhawks prospect Ryan Shea, the team's senior captain, logged a ton of key minutes on the blue line. While the Huskies were hemmed in their own zone for long stretches of the game, the duo provided some semblance of stability and Shea's leadership was instrumental.
The TD Garden was quieter in the consolation game, but a pair of first round picks on Boston College provided quite the fireworks. Minnesota Wild prospect Matt Boldy had a goal and two assists while Colorado Avalanche pick Alex Newhook had a goal and an assist.
Both players have picked up their production and improved their play of late after somewhat slow starts. Although Boldy struggled to put up points in the first few months, I thought he was playing better than his production showed. However, he’s been even better in recent viewings, including the two Beanpot games. He’s big, smart and starting to physically adjust to the college game.
Pantano proves doubters wrong
Pantano won the Eberle Award, stopping 67 of 72 shots over the two games for a .930 save percentage. Pantano is a graduate transfer after spending four years at Merrimack.
The ’95 from Bridgewater, Mass., walked on at Merrimack, coming to the Warriors from the South Shore Kings in the USPHL. He didn’t play in his freshman year and played 36 minutes of mop-up duty during his sophomore season. After two up-and-down seasons that saw some highlights and some lowlights, Pantano opted to finish his collegiate career with the Huskies.
While I still don’t believe Pantano is a game-changing goaltender, he was good enough to help Northeastern win a third straight Beanpot. It was his first, and quite a story for a 24-year-old who never looked like he’d see any meaningful action in college hockey after his first two seasons in North Andover.
Pantano becomes the first Massachusetts-born goaltender to win the Beanpot since Boston College’s John Muse in 2011.
Hockey East embarrasses itself once again
I’ve been outspoken on the putrid officiating in Hockey East in addition to the video reviews that are plaguing college hockey.
In the first semifinal last Monday night, multiple reviews caused the first game to run well over the expected time. I fully understand the need to protect players and try to take head shots out of the game. However, many of these reviews are silly and driving casual fans away.
Monday night’s officiating in the Beanpot final was downright embarrassing to Hockey East. Yes, I’m aware it wasn’t a league game, but the officials are hired by Hockey East. The tripping infraction whistled against Patrick Harper in double overtime just can’t be called in that setting, or any setting.
I’m a huge proponent of college hockey, but one thing that detracts from a lot of Hockey East games is the constant parade to the penalty box. The constant specialty teams battle ruins the flow of games.
It was telling, the outpouring of messages I got from NHL scouts and other college hockey coaches after last night’s game. The general message was that call was inexcusable and Hockey East referees are far worse than others around the country.
I don’t get to see NCHC home games, except on television, but NHL scouts who do explained how much better the referees are out there. Plus, NCHC referees announce to the crowd what the review was about.
Hockey East has fallen far behind the NCHC. Joe Bertagna is out as commissioner of Hockey East after the season. Hopefully, the new commissioner cleans house and brings about a change to the league’s officiating and overall professionalism.
While you hate to see such a key game decided on a power play in overtime, hopefully this game will be remembered for the terrific entertainment provided by the players on the ice, the electric atmosphere inside the TD Garden and not the poor officiating.
