Beanpot Glory: Boston College Ends Drought with Statement Win Over BU
For all the talent that’s come through Boston College over the past decade, no Eagles team had been able to hoist the Beanpot since 2016-until now. In the 300th edition of the Battle of Commonwealth Avenue, BC delivered a performance that was equal parts grit, skill, and execution, downing archrival Boston University 6-2 at TD Garden to reclaim the city’s most coveted college hockey prize.
This wasn’t just another regular-season win. This was a statement.
A win that blended elite special teams, timely goaltending, and standout performances from several Bruins prospects. And it came against a BU squad that had beaten BC in last year’s final, adding an extra layer of redemption to the celebration.
Power Play Dominance and Bruins Prospects Shine
The difference in this one? Special teams-and Boston College owned that battle.
The Eagles went 3-for-4 on the power play, while BU managed just one goal in five chances. That kind of efficiency on the man advantage doesn’t just tilt the ice-it wins championships.
Andre Gasseau, a Bruins prospect and senior captain, was a force at the net-front, scoring twice on the power play. His presence in the dirty areas was a difference-maker, and his leadership showed up in the biggest game of the season so far.
James Hagens, the Bruins’ top amateur prospect and the No. 7 overall pick last June, showed exactly why the organization is so high on him. He picked up two assists in the final, showcasing his elite vision and hands, and earned Beanpot MVP honors after totaling five points across the tournament. His ability to control pace and create in tight spaces was on full display.
Dean Letourneau-another big Bruins prospect-added a goal and brought a physical edge on the forecheck and penalty kill. Will Vote chipped in with two goals, and freshman goaltender Louka Cloutier made 27 saves, bouncing back from a tough start and coming up clutch when it mattered most.
A Shaky Start, Then a Turnaround
This one didn’t start like a blowout. In fact, the first period had BC fans holding their breath.
Just 2:15 into the game, BU’s Gavin McCarthy fired a shot from the blue line that Cloutier couldn’t handle cleanly. The rebound landed right in front, and Brandon Svoboda buried it for the early 1-0 lead.
BU had two early power plays and a chance to seize full control, but Cloutier and the BC penalty kill held firm. That gave the Eagles a window to respond-and they didn’t waste it. On their first man advantage, Ryan Conmy circled behind the net and fed Gasseau in front, who beat BU goalie Mikael Yegorov to tie it up at 15:02.
Despite being outshot 9-7 in the opening frame and looking a step behind, BC escaped the first period tied-and that was crucial. From there, the Eagles started to settle in.
Turning Point: Second Period Surge
The second period was where BC flipped the script. It started with a massive save from Cloutier, who was down on the ice but managed to kick out his right pad just in time to deny Sacha Boisvert on a high-danger look.
Moments later, Hagens set up Brady Berard on a breakaway, but Yegorov came up with a highlight-reel glove save. Oscar Hemming then rang one off the crossbar. The Eagles were buzzing, and the breakthrough finally came at 14:54.
Letourneau won a puck battle in the corner and eventually Lukas Gustafsson fired a shot from the point that Vote redirected home. Just like that, BC had the lead.
Two minutes later, they added to it. Hagens danced out of the corner and found Gustafsson again, whose long-range wrister found its way through traffic and past Yegorov. The Eagles were up 3-1 and in full control.
Closing It Out
BU opened the third with a power play, but again, BC’s penalty kill held strong. And when the Terriers took another penalty, the Eagles made them pay-again. Gasseau cleaned up a loose puck in front for his second of the night, stretching the lead to 4-1.
BU finally broke through on the power play with just over five minutes left, as Cole Eiserman blasted one past Cloutier. But any hope of a comeback was short-lived. Less than two minutes later, Letourneau found space in front, took a feed from Teddy Stiga, and buried his 16th goal of the season to restore the three-goal cushion.
Vote capped things off with an empty-netter, sealing a 6-2 win and sparking a celebration nearly a decade in the making.
A Championship Built on Resilience
What makes this win even more impressive is what came before it. Just days earlier, BC had been blown out 6-1 at home by an unranked Vermont team-a classic pre-Beanpot stumble. But instead of letting that loss linger, the Eagles regrouped, refocused, and delivered their most complete performance of the season when it mattered most.
This Beanpot title wasn’t just about ending a drought-it was about showing the kind of team BC can be. With elite talent, strong special teams, and a goalie who can make big saves under pressure, the Eagles are more than just a Beanpot champion. They’re a team built for a deep postseason run.
And on a night when the stakes were high and the lights were bright, they reminded everyone why Boston College hockey still belongs in the city’s spotlight.