Beanpot Bragging Rights on the Line: No. 11 Boston College and Boston University Set for Historic 300th Battle of Comm Ave
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Monday night at TD Garden isn’t just another college hockey game. It’s the 300th edition of the Battle of Commonwealth Avenue - and it comes with a trophy on the line.
No. 11 Boston College and Boston University are set to square off in the Beanpot Championship at 7:30 p.m., with regional and national broadcasts carrying the action across NESN, NHL Network, ESPN+, and TSN3.
For those tuning in on the radio, WEEI 850 AM has you covered.
This isn’t just about bragging rights - it’s about history, momentum, and a piece of Boston’s hockey soul.
Setting the Stage
Boston College enters the title game at 15-9-1, having punched its ticket with a convincing 5-1 win over Harvard in the opening round. The Eagles looked sharp in that one - fast, physical, and opportunistic.
Boston University, sitting at 13-13-2, had a tougher path. The Terriers tied Northeastern 2-2 in their semifinal but advanced after winning the shootout. It wasn’t flashy, but it was gritty - and that’s exactly the kind of edge BU has leaned on all season.
BC currently holds the No. 11 spot in the USCHO.com poll and sits at No. 13 in the USA Hockey rankings. BU, unranked but dangerous, is still very much a team that can rise to the moment - especially when the Garden lights come on.
BC’s Beanpot Legacy
Boston College has a rich history in the Beanpot, with 20 titles to its name. The last one came in 2016, and the Eagles are hungry to end that drought. All-time, they’re 84-60-1 in the tournament and 20-17 in championship games.
But when it comes to facing BU in this setting? It’s been a battle.
The Eagles are 17-31-0 against the Terriers in Beanpot play, including a 10-13-0 record in finals. Last year’s championship tilt went BU’s way - a 4-1 win that still stings on the Heights.
Now, BC gets a shot at redemption - and a chance to flip the script in front of a packed Garden crowd.
Last Time Out
Before turning the page to the Beanpot final, BC had a bump in the road. The Eagles dropped a Hockey East contest to Vermont on Friday night at home.
James Hagens provided the lone goal, with Lukas Gustafsson and Ryan Conmy picking up the helpers. Aram Minnetian, one of BC’s defensive anchors, logged his 100th career game in the loss - a milestone worth noting even in defeat.
Eagles to Watch
This BC roster is loaded with talent, and it starts with freshman phenom James Hagens. He leads the team in scoring with 29 points, split evenly between 15 goals and 14 assists. His hockey IQ and vision are off the charts - he’s the kind of player who can change a game in a blink.
He’s not alone. Will Letourneau has matched Hagens with 15 goals and sits second in points with 27. Jake Sondreal shares the team lead in assists (14) and brings a steady two-way presence every time he hits the ice.
Conmy and Will Vote have chipped in eight goals apiece, giving BC solid secondary scoring. On the blue line, Nolan Joyce leads the team in blocked shots with 32, while Minnetian isn’t far behind with 27.
Between the pipes, Louka Cloutier has been steady all season. He’s 14-7-1 with a .913 save percentage and a 2.26 goals against average - numbers that speak to his consistency and ability to handle pressure.
Award Season Buzz
Three Eagles - Andre Gasseau, James Hagens, and Teddy Stiga - were named semifinalists for the 74th Walter Brown Award, given annually to the top American-born Division I college hockey player in New England. It’s a prestigious honor, and BC’s recent track record with the award is impressive. Ryan Leonard (2025) and Cutter Gauthier (2024) took home the hardware the past two years, and the Eagles are hoping to keep that streak alive.
Scouting the Terriers
BU comes into the Beanpot final fresh off a 3-2 overtime win over Maine. It wasn’t perfect, but it showed resilience - something this team has leaned on all season.
Cole Hutson is the engine offensively, leading the Terriers with 25 points and 17 assists. Cole Eiserman has a team-high 11 goals, while Sacha Boisvert, Gavin McCarthy, and Owen McLaughlin have each dished out 11 assists.
Defensively, McCarthy and Aiden Celebrini have been shot-blocking machines - both with 51 on the season. That kind of commitment in the defensive zone could be key against BC’s high-powered offense.
In net, Mikhail Yegorov has carried the load all year. He’s played in all 28 games and sports a 2.77 GAA with a .902 save percentage. He’s battle-tested and capable of stealing a game if he gets hot.
Series Snapshot
This rivalry is as tight as it gets. BU holds a narrow edge in the all-time series, 141-137-21.
But BC has had the upper hand lately. The Eagles won the most recent meeting - a 4-1 victory at Agganis Arena on January 30 - with Gasseau, Hagens, and Letourneau each notching a goal and an assist.
Last season, BC took two of three from BU in league play. But as always in the Beanpot, past results only mean so much. Monday night is about who shows up when the puck drops.
What’s Next
After the dust settles at TD Garden, BC shifts its focus back to Hockey East play with a home-and-home series against Merrimack next weekend. The Eagles will head to Lawler Rink on Friday before returning to Kelley Rink on Saturday night. Both games will stream on ESPN+ and air on WEEI 850 AM.
Bottom Line: The 300th Battle of Comm Ave isn’t just a milestone - it’s a moment. Boston College and Boston University know each other inside and out, and with the Beanpot on the line, expect a fierce, emotional, and high-level hockey game. This is what college hockey is all about.