Beanpot
While the field is once again strong for Boston’s midseason tournament, hosted by Boston University, it definitely looks like No. 1 Boston College and three would-be spoilers. There have been three different winners over the last trio of seasons, and BU hasn’t even reached the final over that time. It will hope that home ice brings magic, because BU’s only title came as a club team back in 1981.
The semifinals kick off Monday at 5 p.m. EST with the Eagles clashing with defending champion Harvard, the team that ruined their perfect season in last year’s Beanpot final. They played two weeks ago on January 19, and BC was able to neutralize the Crimson attack and gain a 2-0 win.
In the second semi, scheduled for an 8 p.m. start, BU entertains No. 6 Northeastern. The Huskies cruised to a 7-1 rout when they met the Terriers back in October.
Syracuse at Mercyhurst, Friday, 3 p.m. EST, and Saturday, 2 p.m. EST
Just two weeks ago, the top two teams in the CHA collided in Syracuse, and nothing was decided, as they traded two-goal wins. Goals were at a premium, with each scoring three times in the series. Another split would work to the Lakers’ advantage, because they enjoy a two-point edge in the standings, with only six games remaining after this weekend.
No. 4 Quinnipiac at Harvard, Friday, 3:30 p.m. EST
NESN will be airing this contest, as one of last year’s ECAC co-champions welcomes the league’s current leader. Quinnipiac is one of three teams that the Crimson trail, and they’re three games out of first place, so they’ll need some serious help to gain another crown. First things first — a victory over the Bobcats is a must. Quinnipiac prevailed in overtime when it hosted Harvard in December.
New Hampshire at No. 6 Northeastern, Friday, 7 p.m. EST
The Huskies took both halves of a home-and-home series three weeks ago. UNH tries to catch them looking ahead to the Beanpot.
No. 3 Minnesota at No. 7 Bemidji State, Friday, 7:07 p.m. CST, and Saturday, 4:07 p.m. CST
The Beavers took a game off of Minnesota in each of the first two series the two teams played in the Sanford Center, but since then, the Gophers have come home with three straight sweeps, and they won the 2014 WCHA Final Face-Off in the building. Minnesota scored a dozen goals in the first series in November, three more than it managed in five head-to-head meetings last season.
St. Lawrence at No. 5 Clarkson, Saturday, 3 p.m. EST
The Saints try to shake off the effects of the 6-1 beating that the Golden Knights administered two days earlier in Canton.
Cornell at Rensselaer, Saturday, 4 p.m. EST
Critical ECAC points are on the line for two teams that head into the weekend just a game apart in the fight for playoff berths. The Engineers needed OT to come out on top back in October.
