Pregame Notes

It's less then two hours until the 57th Beanpot starts.

Here's some notes for the early game, courtesy of each team's sports info. department:

BU

Harvard


A lot of people are writing Harvard off before this game even starts. But remember, the Crimson had won only one game since December entering last year's tournament, and they clobbered No. 14 Northeastern 3-1, scoring all three goals in the first seven minutes. I think BU wins handily, but I wouldn't be surprised if Harvard makes it interesting.


Game notes for the 8 p.m. game:

BC

NU

It's been 21 years for NU since they last won a Beanpot tournament and they haven't even won a first round game since 2005. Many feel this could change this year, as the third-ranked Huskies have been strong all season. BC, the defending national champions, hasn't played as well as last season but is still No. 12 in the country. I think the word a lot of NU fans are using is "cautiously optimistic." Either way, this should be a good game.

I can give all the anaylsis I want, but here's some inside thoughts from Husky goalie Brad Thiessen's blog. An excerpt:


Well it’s every college hockey fan in boston’s favorite time of year, beanpot time. Being from Canada 3 years ago I could not say I knew what the beanpot was, but it did not take long to find out. Every year it seems like everyone at Northeastern clings to the fact that this is going to be the year that the drought ends. The hype and pressure that surrounds this game is really like no other that I have experienced, it is quite something. As a player you try and throw that out the window, it is just another game. We have 6 seniors on the team who have never been a part of the beanpot final, and to get to that game would be extra special for them and what they endured from their freshman season. It is a lot of fun to play in games like these and every year when the schedule comes out I know all the guys look to see if they are in that 8 o’clock game on the first monday in february. This is the first time in a while we have played in the night game so there will be a few more fans in the stands. The adrenaline will be flowing tomorrow night, the key is to be able to channel it positively and not let it overcome you once you get on the ice. It’s just another day at the office.

Complete blog can be found here.


Both game's will be on NESN tonight. NU-BC will be on both ESPN 890 AM, and Northeastern's 104.9 WRBB FM