The Terriers of Boston University have done it again. They have won the Beanpot Tournament 27 times in the tournament's 54 year history.
In this year's final BU coasted to a 3-2 victory over inter-city rival Boston College. The Eagles are on top in the Hockey East Conference but are struggling to keep that spot. BU is on an eleven game win streak.
The sliding Eagles are 3-3 in their last 6 games and actually led the game after the first period. Senior defenseman Peter Harrold scored a power play goal with less than two minutes to go in the period.
"It's easier to play when you're enjoying it and you don't feel like a mistake is going to cost you the game," Terriers' head coach Jack Parker said. He has won 21 Beanpot Tournaments for BU, three of which came as a player. "You're on a good roll and a loss isn't going to kill you…We reminded them of that before…the second period started."
Parker's team got the wake-up call and added two goals in the second period from right wingers sophomore Bryan Ewing and freshman Jason Lawrence. Junior goaltender John Curry saw only five shots in the period which forced him to stay focused during the game.
"I was surprised at how many shots they didn't get," Curry said. "Our team defense played great. 20 shots against one of the best teams in the nation, that's unbelievable."
Ewing's goal came from a Pete MacArthur, between the legs move that resulted in a shot on goal and the Ewing tap in. BC tied the game in the third period off a Stephen Gionta goal. Less than a minute later, MacArthur, a sophomore left winger, added a goal in the third period for the tournament winner. The puck popped up waist high in front of the BC net and MacArthur batted the puck past Eagles' goaltender Cory Schneider. MacArthur was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
"We didn't play 60 minutes. I'm disappointed in the effort, especially the second period," Eagles' head coach Jerry York said. BC killed off three consecutive penalties in the opening period, which included a 2-man disadvantage. York was pleased with the first period effort, but the Eagles' lost focus. "We were careless with the puck and turned it over and we never really got our offense set up."
"I thought I played pretty well. Just have to be one better down the stretch," Schneider said. The sophomore made 33 saves on 36 shots. "While it would be nice to win it I think we'll learn from it, put it behind us and hopefully use it for bigger games down the road."
BU senior captain Brad Zancanaro only had two shots in the game but has his team ready for bigger goals than the Beanpot.
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