BOSTON — The Boston College Eagles will be playing for their 21st Beanpot title Feb. 11 after defeating the Harvard Crimson 2-1 at TD Garden.
Offense was at a premium Monday night, as both sides struggled to gain any offensive momentum. The Eagles only were able to muster up 18 shots on goal to Harvard’s 28.
Penalties dominated the game early and often with Harvard getting called for six while BC got whistled for five. Neither team was able to capitalize with the Eagles going 0-5 on power plays and Harvard 0-4, including one late in the final frame.
Although it was slow offensively, BC was able to score when it mattered most.
Here’s how it all went down:
GILES GETS SCORING STARTED EARLY
Offense was hard to come by in the first period, but Boston College forward Patrick Giles stepped up and put the Eagles on the board.
The freshman corralled a pass from junior forward Graham McPhee and slung a wrist shot past Harvard goaltender Michael Lackey to score his first collegiate goal and give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
Neither team was able to capitalize on power play opportunities throughout the period. BC failed to take advantage with its only attempt, and Harvard didn’t capitalize on its first try but ended the period on the power play that carried over into the second.
HARVARD KNOTS UP SCORE LATE
The middle period mirrored the first, as it didn’t feature overwhelming offensive firepower. Both teams struggled to finish power plays in the period.
BC only was able to muster up a meager five shots to the Crimson’s seven, but Harvard was able to find the back of the net off the stick of sophomore forward Henry Bowlby.
Bowlby received a pass from junior defenseman John Marino right in front of BC goaltender Joseph Wall and buried it to even up the score with 4:34 remaining in the frame.
MCBAIN CLINCHES EAGLES’ TICKET TO FINAL
Both teams came out of the locker room for the third period looking to put pucks on net.
Harvard and BC both had opportunities early in the stanza, but it would be the Eagles who capitalized thanks to a goal from freshman Jack McBain.
With 7:38 remaining in the game, McBain was fed a pass off a Harvard defender and put it past Michael Lackey to clinch a spot for BC in the Beanpot Championship next week.
UP NEXT
Harvard will play in the consolation game against the loser of Northeastern University vs. Boston University at 4:30 p.m. ET next Monday. Boston College will play in the final against the winner of Northeastern/BU at 7:30 p.m. ET. Both games will be played at TD Garden.
