ECH 2024 Beanpot Preview
written By Ariana ottrando - February 5, 2024:February is here and New England hockey fans know what that means: Beanpot season. Hosted at TD Garden on the first two Mondays each February, the annual Men's Beanpot Tournament returns this week for the 71st edition of Boston's infamous hockey schools — Boston College (HE), Boston University (HE), Harvard University (ECAC), and Northeastern University (HE) — competing for the ultimate bragging rights.
Even if you're not in the greater Boston area to attend the Semifinals and Consolation/Championship on Feb. 5th and 12th, college hockey fans should be sure to tune into this Hockey East and ECAC showdown. Whichever team takes home the Beanpot trophy is a very likely candidate for the NCAA tournament, coming up in just over a month. Let's break down each team's 2023-24 season thus far, preview its Semifinals matchup, hear from the players, and see team ECH's Beanpot predictions!
Via: @TDGarden on Twitter
2024 Men’s Beanpot Schedule
Semifinals - Monday, Feb. 5th
5:00 PM: Harvard vs Northeastern
8:00 PM: Boston University vs Boston College
Championship - Monday, Feb. 12th
4:30 PM: Consolation Game
7:30 PM: Championship Game
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Boston College
Record: 19-4-1 (12-3-1 HE)
Goals For: 4.2
Goals Against: 2.3
Power Play: 25.7%
PK: 90.7%
Top Scorer: Gabe Perreault (10G, 29A, 39TP)
Starting Goaltender: Jacob Fowler (2.21 GAA, .925 SV%)
Last Beanpot Win: 2016
Currently sitting at No. 1 in the country, there aren't many negatives to take away from BC's season so far. With records of 10-2-0 at home and 9-2-1 away, the Eagles have an extremely successful track record, regardless of the location or opponent. And much of that success can be credited to their freshmen — three of whom were taken in the first round of the 2023 NHL draft: Will Smith (4th), Ryan Leonard (8th) and Gabe Perreault (23rd).
Taking this impressive roster into account, it's fair to say that BC is the frontrunner for taking the Beanpot back to Chestnut Hill on Feb. 12. To note, the only team out of the three that BC has lost to this season is Northeastern and a BC-NU championship would come down to a tight battle of the goaltenders Jacob Fowler and Cameron Whitehead.
Going into this Semifinals matchup with a five-game win streak, including a series sweep of No. 3 Boston University, BC has the advantage of securing a third win against fellow Comm Ave rival and a spot in the Beanpot Finals.
Boston University
Record: 17-7-1 (12-4-1 HE)
Goals For: 3.9
Goals Against: 2.6
Power Play: 25.9%
PK: 82.5%
Top Scorer: Macklin Celebrini (19G, 18A, 37TP)
Starting Goaltender: Mathieu Caron (2.48 GAA, .912 SV%)
Last Beanpot Win: 2022
The majority of the 2023-24 season has also been one of domination for Boston University. Ranked No. 3 in the Pairwise, BU has met expectations that it set from last season — winning Hockey East and reaching the Frozen Four — by maintaining a strong record and improved roster with standouts like freshmen Macklin Celebrini (USHL) and Quinn Hutson (USHL), and transfer Jack Hughes (NU).
However, BU is experiencing its first stretch of adversity coming off a series loss to BC and an upset loss to Northeastern last Tuesday. With a recent three-game losing streak against two of the three other Beanpot teams, BU is no longer an obvious favorite in the tournament as it maybe was earlier in the year.
That being said, we know BU can show up in big moments and did so Friday with a 6-3 win against No. 18 University of New Hampshire. BU will seek to build off that headed into the first round versus rival BC for a chance to win its second trophy in three years.
Q&A with Nick Zabaneh (Senior forward)
Credit: BU Athletics
Q: What are you most excited for with Beanpot coming up?
A: It's one of the most special times of the year in the hockey season. It's something you have on your calendar right as the year starts and you kind of look forward to it the whole year. Now that it's coming up, I think the team is really excited.
Q: What advice did you receive from upperclassmen in your first Beanpot and what is the group's message to the current freshmen?
A: Sophomore year was my first Beanpot. We obviously had a great leadership group that year and I think the biggest thing they kind of told us was don't get too high, don't get too low during those games. It's pretty hectic, anything can happen. It's obviously a really big environment — TD Garden's usually sold out, so it's pretty loud in there. Your emotions can get carried away at times, but I think they kind of instilled in us to do the right things, have fun — that's one of the biggest things, just enjoy the moment. And also just play smart. One penalty in the Beanpot can put your team in a huge hole. Obviously now as a senior, I think the biggest thing is relaying the same message onto the young guys.
Q: Playing in your third Beanpot now as a senior, do you still feel the nerves just as much?
A: Yeah. I'm more, like, excited. It's a really fun game to be a part of. I think my first game sophomore year, there are obviously a bit of nerves coming into that one. But I think that the more you play in those big games — especially now that I've played a few games at the [TD] Garden over the course of my three years here — I'm more just excited to get back out there. It's a really fun environment, so looking forward to it.
Q: Looking back on BU's Beanpot win in 2022, what's most memorable to you now of the experience?
A: There are a lot of things. First of all, the game-winning goal. It was a 0-0 game and then with three minutes left, my linemate Dylan Peterson scored the game-winning goal. And I was on the ice for that, so I mean that was pretty cool just kind of celebrating on the ice. I think just hoisting the Beanpot after the game, like kind of doing your lap with the Beanpot, I thought that was really cool. You had all your family and friends in the stands down there, so enjoying it with them. And then also enjoying the victory with your teammates like in the room, even in the few days after. We got to have the Beanpot for a couple days, so it was just really cool to have it and know you won it because you watch it all your life as a kid growing up. It was pretty surreal.
Q: Does playing UNH between contests with BC throw the team's rhythm off at all?
A: The whole team kind of loves it when we have games like this. It's kind of like a pro schedule in a way. You're playing on the weekends, you only have like one practice in between. Obviously practice is great, but I'm sure everyone can agree that playing games is way more fun. And especially after [the three-game lose streak to BC and NU], I thought we could've won each of those three games, but we didn't. I think the biggest thing is we got to work on our 5-on-5 goals, I don't think we've been scoring nearly enough 5-on-5 goals that we should be. And that comes back to rushed plays aren't being as clean as they should be, guys aren't getting to the net and stopping there because that's where the the garbage goals are.
Q: What is the team's morale facing BC again and what's it going to take to get into the finals?
A: We're a bit upset about how those two games went against BC. They're obviously one of our biggest rivals and a really good team this year, like us. I think the biggest thing with them is they have a couple [of] really talented players, they have a great goalie. I think it's just making sure [that] those top-end talent guys, [we're] making it hard on them, not giving them any easy opportunities. We need to get second chances, get some in front of them — all that kind of stuff — but I don't think we're worried at all about Monday. I think, if anything, we're more motivated now. It'd kind of suck if we didn't get to play them again on the schedule, so I think the whole team is looking forward to getting out there and playing them again.
Q: Going for the second Beanpot title in three years, what makes you confident that this team can do it?
A: We obviously have top-end talent guys. But I think the biggest thing is our depth. I think we have four lines, six/seven d[efensemen] who can wear teams down. They could score goals, they could dominate their shifts. I think I'm really confident in the group. We have all of the pieces — we just need to go out and play our game, and make sure we get it done.
Harvard University
Record: 4-13-3 (4-8-3 ECAC)
Goals For: 2.4
Goals Against: 3.6
Power Play: 28.1%
PK: 75.0%
Top Scorer: Joe Miller (10G, 9A, 19TP)
Starting Goaltender: Derek Mullahy (3.42 GAA, .892 SV%)
Last Beanpot Win: 2017
Coming in with the lowest record at .300, Harvard University will have the hardest battle to bring a Beanpot title to Cambridge for the first time since 2017. As is the typical reason for a struggling season, the 2023-24 squad has braved a plethora of injuries that has ultimately taken a serious toll.
But disregarding the rankings for a second, there are still positive attributes to take away from Harvard's season so far. Two Crimson received monthly ECAC honors for January as Ryan Healey was named Defender of the Month and Joe Miller was named Forward of the Month. Per its last two contests, Harvard beat Colgate 6-3 and fell only 2-1 against No. 7 defending national champion, Quinnipiac University.
Harvard also faces an additional disadvantage of being the sole non-Hockey East team in the tournament, only seeing No. 1 Boston College once this season in a 4-1 loss out of the three. It will be interesting to see how Harvard fares against Northeastern in the Semifinals, not playing each other since the 2023 Beanpot Finals, and if this recent upward trajectory can continue.
Q&A with Zakary Karpa (Captain/Junior forward)
Credit: Harvard Athletics
Q: What are your thoughts ahead of Beanpot on Monday and what are you most looking forward to?
A: I think we feel great. We're starting to play a lot better hockey in the second half and starting to have some good team success, playing to our team identity. I think the biggest thing for us is taking it game by game. I think our message to the younger guys is it happens quick. Obviously having the 5 p.m. game, we're going to have to stick to our routine and manage those emotions early. Just go out there and play our game from the start.
Q: Being a captain and upperclassman now, do you feel that your preparation has changed going into Beanpot this year compared to previous ones?
A: No, not necessarily. I think being in a leadership role now, I'm just kind of checking in more on the younger guys — just making sure they're doing alright and feeling good. Making sure that our team has all of the tools it needs to get ready for this game.
Q: How much do you talk about the atmosphere with the freshmen and newcomers who've never played on a big stage like this before?
A: It'll definitely be an adjustment for them. I don't know how many guys [that] have had the opportunity to play in a venue like this with this atmosphere. It's kind of crazy. You see the Beanpot every year, crazy things happen every year. I think for us, we just can't get too high or too low no matter what happens during the game.
Q: Aside from having more of a complete roster, what can you attribute the team's recent success to?
A: I think we're just focusing on closing out games and playing a full 60 minutes as a team. Focusing on our starts and making sure that we're doing the little things like treating our bodies right, nutrition, sleep..
Q: You haven't seen Northeastern since last year's Beanpot Finals. What's the mentality going into that matchup?
A: You could say we owe these guys a little bit. Obviously took the Beanpot from us last year. But with that being said, we just have to treat it like any other game and stick to your routine. Hopefully go in there and have some success.
Q: Harvard hasn't won the Beanpot since 2017. What makes you confident that this is Harvard's year?
A: We have a very different roster. We're a bit of a younger team, but I think we have great depth. We've had a lot of injuries and a lot of ups and downs this year, and I'm really proud of the way that guys have stepped up and contributed to those big roles. I have no doubt in my mind that we'll do the same thing on Monday.
Northeastern University
Record: 11-12-2 (6-11-0 HE)
Goals For: 3.2
Goals Against: 2.8
Power Play: 25.8%
PK: 80.8%
Top Scorer: Jack Williams (14G, 16A, 30TP)
Starting Goaltender: Cameron Whitehead (2.71 GAA, .911 SV%)
Last Beanpot Win: 2023
In very opposite fashion of crosstown rival Boston University, Northeastern's season only recently hit the reset button after facing a lengthy period of adversity. Mostly due to a succession of injured veteran players, NU's seven-game losing streak (between Oct 26 - Nov 18) and inability to break out in close games seem to have taken a turn now that the full roster is back and healthy.
While their below .500 record seems underwhelming, the Huskies' performance has been anything but. In terms of the competing Beanpot teams, Northeastern took down No. 1 BC at Conte Forum back in December and beat No. 3 Boston University just last week.
As for its Semifinals matchup against Harvard, Northeastern definitely fares higher. Although these teams have not faced off in a year and Harvard has upped its game as of late, Northeastern is riding a season-high four-game win streak — last beating No. 6/5 Maine 6-3 on Friday — and newfound confidence that Harvard seems to lack. We know what the Huskies are capable of under pressure and at their best, so don't count the defending champs out just yet.
Q&A with Justin Hryckowian (Captain/Junior forward)
Credit: Jim Pierce / NU Athletics
Q: Being Captain now, do you find that it has altered your prep — individually and of the team — going into the tournament?
A: Not really. I'd say that it's probably my job, and a couple of the leader guys' jobs, to help the younger guys. Just let them know what's coming and not blow your loads in warmups — I remember that was always the message: telling me that it's exciting, but to take it easy and just soak it all in. I'm excited for all of the new guys. It'll be good for them to go through this for the first time. There's nothing like it, so I'm pumped.
Q: Speaking of the freshmen, how much do you prepare them for that atmosphere and playing on such a big stage?
A: You don't want people to play outside their game and try and be heroes out there, but it's definitely a part of the element and it's something surreal that everyone should soak in. It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Even if you end up playing in the NHL, you'll never have a crowd like that with the bands and the student sections and stuff like that. I want everyone to enjoy it, but just stay even-keeled throughout the game too.
Q: I know you're a "lead-by-example" type of captain. Does this experience bring out a more vocal side to you?
A: I'll try to be, it kind of depends on situations. I think in the manners of high pressure and stress situations, just remaining calm and staying poised are things I try to do when I'm at my best. Trying not to get too high or too low because in that game, things are not going to go your way, things are going to go your way, the crowd's going to be loud, the crowd's going to start going crazy. So you have to try and remain calm and stay together on the bench.
Q: Going up against strong power play units in BC and BU, how does the team approach those PKs in practices and games?
A: We've been working on our [penalty] kill a lot. When you play against teams with good players and good power plays, the number one thing is to try and just stay out of the box as much as you can. The odds are you'll probably be on the kill a couple of times and you got to be willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. I think we've just been hammering the fact that the season's slowly coming down to an end and we have nothing to save it for. You have to sacrifice every shot, like if you get the chance to get a block on it or disrupt it — get it done, do it for the guy next to you.
Q: I know winning last year with longtime friend and teammate Devon Levi was very meaningful to you. Now you're playing in the Beanpot at TD Garden for the first time with your brother (Dylan). How excited are you to experience that together?
A: I think that was probably the number one thing my family was looking at as soon as they knew that [Dylan] was coming in. Being able to share the ice at the [TD] Garden together and have a chance to win the Beanpot — being able to share that moment will be truly special.
Team ECH's Predictions
James Murray, Co-Founder of ECH
Final: Northeastern vs Boston University (winner)
Connor Thelemann, Co-Founder of ECH
Final: Northeastern vs Boston College (winner)
Alex Berger, ECH writer
Final: Northeastern vs Boston College (winner)
Ariana Ottrando, ECH writer
Final: Northeastern (winner) vs Boston College
Isaac Miller, ECH Videographer
Final: Northeastern vs Boston College (winner)
Austin Plevy, ECH Insider
Final: Northeastern (winner) vs Boston University
ECH Prediction Totals:
BC - 3
Northeastern - 2
BU - 1
Harvard - 0
