The Beanpot is an annual ice hockey tournament among the four major college teams in Boston, Massachusetts – Boston College, Boston University, Harvard University, and Northeastern University. Held every year since 1952, it is a hugely popular event in Boston sports culture and a coveted achievement for the four schools.
When and where is the Beanpot played?
The Beanpot tournament takes place every year in early February at the TD Garden in Boston. The first round games are always played on the first two Mondays in February, with the championship game taking place on the third Monday in February.
What is the tournament format?
The Beanpot uses a standard four team knockout tournament format. The four teams are seeded based on their regular season records and paired off for the two semifinal games in the first round. The winners of each semifinal game advance to the championship game the following week.
The schedule is as follows:
First Round Game 1 | First seed vs Fourth seed |
First Round Game 2 | Second seed vs Third seed |
Championship Game | Game 1 winner vs Game 2 winner |
There is no third place consolation game – only the two semifinals and the championship game.
What is the history and significance of the tournament?
The Beanpot was created in 1952 primarily through the efforts of athletic directors from Northeastern and Boston College. It was established as an opportunity to showcase top-tier college hockey in Boston, as well as create new rivalries between the existing powerhouses of BC and BU and the upstart programs at Northeastern and Harvard.
In the 70+ years since its inception, the Beanpot has become an iconic staple of Boston’s sports scene and one of the pinnacles of achievement in college hockey. The tournament routinely sells out every year and is considered a must-win trophy for each of the four schools. It is a source of great pride, bragging rights, and excitement for students and alumni.
Notable Beanpot records and achievements
- Boston University has the most Beanpot titles with 31.
- The record for most consecutive Beanpot championships is 6, held by BU (1995-2000).
- Harvard has the longest Beanpot title drought, with their last championship coming in 1993.
- Northeastern ended a 30 year title drought in 2018 when they defeated BU in overtime.
When did the four Boston schools start playing ice hockey?
Here is a brief overview of when each of the four Beanpot schools began their men’s ice hockey programs:
- Boston College: 1919. The BC Eagles have had a team for over 100 years.
- Boston University: 1921. BU has also fielded a team for a century.
- Harvard: 1898. Harvard has the oldest continuous ice hockey program among the four schools, dating back to the 19th century.
- Northeastern: 1929. The Northeastern Huskies were relative latecomers to varsity hockey compared to the other Beanpot schools.
How are the teams seeded each year?
The four teams are seeded each year based on their regular season records in conference play. The coaches of the four schools agree on the seeding.
Some key points on Beanpot seeding:
- The team with the best conference record earns the #1 seed.
- Tiebreakers factors for seeding include head-to-head results and overall winning percentage.
- Non-conference games and tournaments are not factored into Beanpot seeding.
- There are often shifts in the seeding every year – no team can claim permanent “top seed” status.
- BU, BC, and Harvard tend to jockey year-to-year for the #1 and #2 spots.
How have the rivalries between the schools evolved over time?
The rivalries between the four schools have intensified since the Beanpot’s inception and now add an extra layer whenever they meet.
Boston College vs. Boston University
This rivalry existed long before hockey, as the two Catholic schools first played football in 1893. Hockey amplified the rivalry and the Beanpot adds significant bragging rights. Games between the two often determine Beanpot seeding.
Boston College vs. Northeastern
With Northeastern located just steps from BC’s campus, this has always been a natural rivalry. Northeastern’s rise to become a hockey power has increased the intensity here. The two often compete for the top two seeds.
Boston University vs. Harvard
The rivalry between these schools extends across all sports as the premier private institutions in Boston, but hockey has provided some of the most memorable moments. The Crimson breaking BU’s streak in 1994 stands out.
Harvard vs. Northeastern
As crosstown opponents, these schools have a natural city rivalry. As the two most academically-renowned teams, bragging rights here carry extra weight. The games often decide who will avoid the #4 seed.
How does home ice advantage work in the Beanpot?
The Beanpot takes place at a neutral site – TD Garden – so no team has a true home ice advantage.
However, BC, BU, and Northeastern fans tend to outnumber Harvard’s as their campuses are closer to downtown Boston. This can create a partisan crowd for certain matchups.
Additionally, BC, BU, and Northeastern play many regular season home games at TD Garden so familiarity with the facilities favors them slightly. The venue is referred to as “BU’s other home” because of this familiarity.
Has any school ever won the Beanpot with a losing record?
In modern times, no school has ever won the Beanpot with an overall losing record. However, there are two instances in the early years of the tournament when a team finished below .500 for the season but managed to capture the Beanpot crown:
- 1954 – BU won the title with a 10-11 record. They went just 2-10 in conference play.
- 1959 – Northeastern won the Beanpot with a 10-12 overall record and 5-11 conference record.
It would be exceptionally rare for a team with a losing record to win the Beanpot today, given how competitive the hockey programs have become. The days of below .500 teams taking home the trophy are firmly in the past.
Have any schools dominated for long stretches?
Boston University has undoubtedly been the most dominant team over the history of the tournament. Some key facts about their periods of dominance:
- BU has won 31 Beanpot titles, more than double any other school.
- They won 6 consecutive titles from 1995-2000, the longest streak in tournament history.
- Between 1970-2000, BU captured 19 titles in 31 years, including 8 straight from 1970-1977.
- Their periods of dominance were under coaches like Jack Parker and Jack Kelley who built BU into a hockey powerhouse.
Boston College also enjoyed extended success in the late 40s/early 50s, winning 5 straight Beanpots from 1949-1953. However, no school has ever matched BU’s level of Beanpot supremacy over the long run.
What are some of the most memorable Beanpot games in history?
Some of the most famous Beanpot games and moments that stand out in tournament history:
- 1961: BU beats Harvard 3-2 in double overtime to win on a dramatic goal by Bill Cleary.
- 1988: BC and BU end regulation tied 4-4 before BC wins 7-4 in overtime, denying BU a 6th straight title.
- 1994: Harvard beats BU 6-4 for their first title in 10 years, ruining BU’s bid for 6 in a row.
- 2018: Northeastern finally breaks their 30 year title drought, beating BU 5-2 in overtime.
- 2022: Northeastern scores 3 goals in 90 seconds late to stun BU 5-4 and advance to the Beanpot final.
There have also been memorable performances like Scott Young’s record 7 points for BC in 1984 or Adam Gaudette setting the points record with 8 for Northeastern in 2017.
What is significant about the Beanpot that sets it apart from regular season games between the schools?
There are a few key factors that make the Beanpot special compared to normal conference matchups during the season:
- As a tournament, there is a win-or-go-home format that increases pressure and excitement.
- The games take place in February during the heart of Hockey East conference play, not the preseason.
- The games are played at a neutral site venue, not campus rinks.
- There is a unique atmosphere with the four schools all represented in the city at the same time.
- Winning schools take home an iconic trophy that has decades of history behind it.
- Bragging rights carry through the rest of the season and into next year’s tournament.
All of this combines to give the Beanpot a special feel during Boston’s cold winter months – an intensity and atmosphere that stands above normal Hockey East contests.
How has hockey in Boston evolved since the Beanpot started in 1952?
The Beanpot has mirrored the growth of hockey in Boston and New England over the past 70 years:
- It started as a niche regional event but has exploded in popularity as hockey fever swept through Boston.
- College programs have become more competitive, with full scholarships and national TV/media exposure.
- Boston’s emergence as a professional hockey town with the Bruins’ success has raised the sport’s profile.
- High school and youth hockey have boomed in Massachusetts, feeding strong local talent into college ranks.
- From humble origins, the Beanpot now sells out NHL arenas and is broadcast nationally as one of the marquee events in college hockey.
The four schools have all become perennial contenders on the national stage, making Boston one of college hockey’s premier hubs. The Beanpot has grown in stature right alongside the sport in Boston.
How has Northeastern emerged from being an underdog to a Beanpot power?
For many years, Northeastern was seen as the weak link among Boston’s four hockey programs. But strategic moves eventually transformed them into a Beanpot champion and national contender:
- Joining Hockey East in 1984 gave them a conference to compete in against BU, BC and Harvard.
- The 1988 Matthews Arena renovations modernized their facilities.
- Greg Cronin’s coaching tenure from 1994-2011 brought sustained success.
- Upgrading recruiting and funding raised the talent level.
- Winning the Beanpot in 2018 after a 30-year drought marked their emergence.
- They have played in 4 of the last 5 championship games, winning 2.
No longer an easy out, Northeastern’s rise has dramatically changed the Beanpot landscape and made every matchup competitive. Their success has been critical for bringing more parity to the tournament.
Conclusion
The Beanpot stands out as one of the most unique and beloved events on Boston’s packed sports calendar every year. With over 70 years of history and memorable moments, it has become woven into the fabric of hockey culture in Boston. For the four schools involved, it is a coveted trophy that brings out their best in front of packed houses at TD Garden. The atmosphere builds throughout Boston in the week leading up to the tournament, culminating in dramatic games that often go down to the wire. Even as college hockey has evolved, the Beanpot has maintained its special place as the pinnacle of bragging rights and achievement for the hockey programs at Boston College, Boston University, Harvard University and Northeastern University.