Harvard Downs Boston University, Ends 24 Year Beanpot Title Drought
Only one Harvard hockey player was alive the last team the Crimson won Boston’s Beanpot. That’s all changed now though in 2017!
The Harvard hockey team crushed Boston University Monday night, earning the school’s first Beanpot title since 1993. Only one current Harvard player was alive at that time. The Harvard Crimson won the coveted label as Boston’s best with a 6-3 pounding of the Terriers.
"“We were relentless. Our group felt like it was their night and they were willing to work to make sure it was their night. It’s been a long time coming and I’m very happy for these guys,” said Crimson coach Ted Donato."
A crowd of over 15,000 filled the TD Garden for the third place championship games. Harvard’s seven seniors finally got a taste of victory. They’d finished last the past two seasons, and had never before played in the final game. The Crimson were relentless, out shooting the Terriers 46-17 on the night. Boston University had grabbed a 2-0 lead, before Harvard came storming back.
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Penalties downed BU, as Harvard was able to score on a pair of 5-on-3 chances.
“Penalties obviously killed us. You can’t go down 5-on-3 twice for that length of time against a team like that. Once we did that we really put ourselves behind the 8-ball,” said Terriers coach David Quinn.
The win was nearly cemented when Nathan Krusko scored with 1:06 left in the second period to put the Crimson ahead 3-2. Then, just 31 seconds into the final period, Alexander Kerfoot put the Crimson ahead by 2. The coach’s son, and Boston Bruins prospect, Ryan Donato scored the team’s 5th goal, and it was a beauty.
Bruins prospect Ryan Donato with a great individual goal in the Beanpot final https://t.co/6OCUOudwEl
— Marina Maher (@marinakmaher) February 14, 2017
Just 33 seconds later, BU scored to pull within range. At 5-3, Harvard needed to close out the game. An empty netter was added to secure the 6-3 Beanpot victory.
“These guys might not choose to talk about it much but I think they really wanted to win this Beanpot,” said coach Donato, who won it when he was a sophomore on the 1989 national champion team.
Let’s all hope next years Beanpot is just as memorable and magical!