by Bob Morello
Beanpot and More…
Hockey fans will likely suffer withdrawal effects the next two weeks, as the NHL regular schedule is paused. There is a cure for that ailment, it is the 4 Nations Face-Off, instead of an All-Star Weekend, which will feature teams of NHL players representing the four nations of, Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States facing off in Montreal and Boston. The tournament will consist of a total of seven games played over a nine-day period from February 12th to February 20th. Four games will be played at the Bell Centre in Montreal, and three games, including the championship match, at Boston’s TD Garden in Boston. All games will be played in accordance with NHL rules. Each team will play three tournament games in a traditional Round Robin format, under the following points system: 3 points for a win in regulation time; 2 points for a win in overtime/shootout; 1 point for a loss in overtime/shootout; and 0 points for a loss in regulation time. The two teams with the best tournament record will then advance to a one-game Final.
The tournament begins in Montreal tomorrow night (Wednesday Feb. 12) at 8:00pm, with host Team Canada facing Team Sweden. The second match will have Team USA taking on Team Finland on Thursday (Feb. 13), also at 8:00pm. Saturday (Feb. 15) will feature a pair of games, beginning with Team Finland battling Team Sweden in a 1:00pm matinee, and the second half of the pairing will have Team USA matching up against Team Canada at 8:00pm. Bruins players on Team USA will be goaltender Jeremy Swayman and defenseman Charlie McAvoy. Team Canada’s roster will include Bruins captain Brad Marchand, and Elias Lindholm will appear on Team Sweden’s roster.
The remaining three games, including the Championship Game, will be held at TD Garden. The opening contests will have the remainder of the games that will determine the two teams with the most points. Team Canada and Team Finland will begin the proceedings on Monday (Feb. 17), in a 1:00pm matinee, and the 8:00pm contest will have Team Sweden and Team USA battling to determine a winner. The Championship Game will be held on Thursday (Feb. 20), with the two teams with the most points will play for the 4 Nations Face-Off Trophy.
Men’s Beanpot trophy won by Boston University
Cole Hutson scored what proved to be the game-winning goal, as Boston University bounced back from a one-goal deficit to down number one ranked Boston College by a score of 4-1, earning BU their 32nd Beanpot win. Hutson was rewarded with tournament MVP honors for his night’s work. On a night with many highlights, including excellent performances by both goaltenders, Boston College net minder Jacob Fowler (40 saves) and Boston University’s freshman puck stopper Mikhail Yegorov (43 saves) in a stalwart effort. Several solid penalty kills, and Boston University ended the night with a 200-foot empty net goal by Gavin McCarthy to put the final nail ii Boston College’s coffin.
Boston College scored first to take the lead early in the game, Boston University tied it up at 5:43 on a Boston College turnover. The Terriers added to their lead just over a minute later, as Hutson fired a wrist shot that found the back of the net. It was ‘game over’ from there, as Boston University held their ground and the lead, to earn themselves well-deserved bragging rights. Boston University head coach Jay Pandolfo heaped praise on his team, stating. “They are a competitive bunch of guys, I’m just so proud of them, and I’m really happy for them.”
In the consolation game, Harvard outlasted Northeastern by a score of 4-3, in a physical game, full of penalties. The Huskies were hit with a five-minute major penalty to Joaquim Lemay, for crosschecking, Harvard was unable to capitalize on it, and it resulted in a tightly contested game right up until the final minute. Harvard was able to pot four power play goals, two off the stick of Mason Langenbrunner, a Bruins fifth round draft pick from the 2020 NHL Draft, and it proved to be the difference in the consolation game’s outcome.
Charlie Jacobs Joins The USA Hockey Foundation Board of Directors
The USA Hockey Foundation announced that Charlie Jacobs, chief executive officer of both the Boston Bruins and Delaware North, will join its Board of Directors. An influential leader in the sports and entertainment industry, Jacobs, who also serves as alternate governor for the Bruins, brings extensive experience in sports management and philanthropy that will be invaluable in furthering The USA Hockey Foundation’s mission of supporting grassroots hockey development, player safety initiatives, and access to the game for all. Jacobs founded the Boston Bruins Foundation in 2003 and since its inception more than 67 million dollars has been raised to help in supporting a strong support system for children and families in the community though education, athletics, and health and wellness. Jacobs joins a distinguished group of leaders committed to advancing the Foundation’s efforts in strengthening hockey across the country. His involvement will support ongoing initiatives to enhance opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels, while also promoting the values of teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship.