Harvard Set To Compete in Historic Tournament

At this time last year, the storyline looked just the same for the Harvard men’s hockey team. The Crimson (5-11-4, 5-6-4 ECAC) is starting to rebound after a lengthy winless streak and looks toward the thrill and fanfare of playing in a venerable Boston-sports institution—the 57th Annual Beanpot Tournament—to jumpstart the momentum.

In this tournament, featuring the four elite teams of Boston men’s college hockey, a win always carries special significance.

The Crimson played two of the most exciting games of its season at last year’s Beanpot, and at this evening’s game against the No. 2 Boston University Terriers, everyone will discover whether Harvard will be able to return to the championship game one week from tonight.

“The Beanpot’s importance comes from the fact that it’s the best college hockey tournament in season in the entire country,” Harvard coach Ted Donato ’91 said. “There’s great tradition. It’s a great venue and there’s such great history with the four programs.

“For us, the playing at the Banknorth against the No.2 ranked team in the country, it’s a great opportunity for our guys.”

Harvard faces one of the nation’s top teams after snapping a losing streak that had frustrated the Crimson for the past two months and seen the team go thirteen games without a win.

Friday night’s 3-1 victory over the Union Dutchmen at the Bright Hockey Center allows the team to generate favorable momentum before it faces the Terriers—the most decorated team in Beanpot history, with 28 championship trophies.

The win also allows freshman goalie Matt Hoyle to build confidence before tonight’s game, in which Hoyle will face an opponent who averages 3.7 goals per game.

BU has put together a five-game winning streak, including a 3-1 victory over Merrimack on Friday night that saw the Terrier’s long-time coach, Jack Parker, earn his 800th career win.

As the second-best team in the country, the Terriers bring all the usual attributes of a top-ranked squad to both ends of the ice.

The Terriers bring a stingy defense led by senior Matt Gilroy, a two-time All-American whose name has already been mentioned as a natural choice for first-team All-America honors again this year. BU’s defense has allowed just 47 goals in 25 games.

Finding the back of the net will also require getting the puck past the Terriers’ freshman netminder, Kieran Millan—no easy task against a goalie who boasts a 1.47 goals-against-average and a 15-1-1 record in his first season.

Also, thanks to leading scorers Chris Higgens, Jason Lawrence, and Brandon Yip—each of whom have recorded 11 goals so far this season—BU has managed to outscore opponents by nearly a two-to-one margin.

Harvard players know how special it is to skate in the Beanpot, but they realize that the keys to victory in the Garden are same as those in the Bright, even if more of the Boston sports world is watching.

“A lot of people make the Beanpot out to be something bigger than it is but it’s an unbelievable experience playing in the Beanpot,” junior Alex Biega said. “But we try to focus and do the same thing we do every day. Just coming to practice focused.”

For the Crimson players, discipline will be critical to prevent the Terriers from forcing Harvard to play their style of hockey.

But between now and 5 p.m. this evening, the Crimson is eagerly awaiting the Beanpot as another chance to correct unfinished business from last year and provide a momentum boost when the team returns to ECAC play.

“I think our guys are excited and last year, making it to the championship game,” Donato said. “I think our guys really got a taste of what potential opportunity the Beanpot could present.”

—Staff writer Robert T. Hamlin can be reached at rhamlinfas.harvard.edu.