2014 Beanpot: Boston College Wins 5th-Straight Title, Beats Northeastern 4-1
By Joe Micik
The nation’s top team, the Boston College Eagles, defeated Hockey East rivals Northeastern, 4-1, in a thrilling Beanpot championship game at the TD Garden on Monday night.
It is the Eagles’ fifth consecutive Beanpot title, and the second time in as many years that Boston College has defeated the Huskies in this game.
Otherwise, the Eagles have now extended their unbeaten streak to fifteen games in a row, improving to 22-4-3 on the season.
| BC | Kevin Hayes | 8:40 1st | Arnold, Gaudreau | BC 1 | NU 0 |
| NU | John Stevens | 18:36 2nd | Roy | BC 1 | NU 1 |
| BC | Patrick Brown | 14:30 3rd | MacLeod, Cangelosi | BC 2 | NU 1 |
| BC | Johnny Gaudreau (EN) | 18:44 3rd | unassisted | BC 3 | NU 1 |
| BC | Patrick Brown | 19:10 3rd | unassisted | BC 4 | NU 1 |
The Eagles netted their first goal from Kevin Hayes, a player who is almost equally as hot as Johnny Gaudreau, the latter of whom extended his points streak to 24 games in a row. Gaudreau fed a centering pass to Hayes in traffic for his 21st goal of the season. This followed a waved-off goal by Northeastern due to the net shifting off of its moorings, and a very near miss by Gaudreau seconds earlier.
The early period was intense and fun, with both teams having prime scoring opportunities at a relatively fast pace of play. The intensity level was obvious from the start, as both Boston College and Northeastern got chippy at times.
Boston College and Northeastern carried their hard-hitting play into the second period. After over 18 minutes of continued intensity, scoring chances, and big plays, Scott Savage whiffed on his defensive assignment, leaving Thatcher Demko uncovered for John Stevens to tally the tying goal for the Huskies on the rebound.
The third period was another blood pressure-raiser, but with just under six minutes to go, Eagles team captain Patrick Brown scored on a redirection in front of Witt to give his team a 2-1 lead. From there, Boston College was able to stave off all of Northeastern’s remaining advances. Johnny Gaudreau added an empty-netter to seal it, while Patrick Brown scored again moments later to cap a two-goal night.
Eagles goalie Thatcher Demko was brilliant, making 29 saves in the win. Clay Witt of Northeastern was just as good for the vast majority of the game, stopping 37 shots in a hard-luck loss.
This was a tremendous hockey game, if not totally nerve-wracking for fans of either team. The atmosphere at the Garden was electric, and the matchup itself did not disappoint.
Kevin Hayes was named the tournament’s MVP, while Thatcher Demko was the top goaltender.
Boston College returns to action this weekend for a two-game road trip to Burlington against Vermont.