Boston College Returns to Hockey East Play Fresh Off Beanpot Glory
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - After hoisting the Beanpot trophy for the first time since 2016, No. 14 Boston College is back in Hockey East action this weekend with a home-and-home series against Merrimack.
The Eagles head to Lawler Arena on Friday night before returning to Kelley Rink for Saturday’s rematch. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. both nights, with coverage available on ESPN+ and WEEI 850 AM.
Back to Business After Beanpot Brilliance
The Eagles aren’t just skating into this series with momentum - they’re charging in. Monday night’s 6-2 win over rival Boston University in the 300th edition of the Battle of Comm Ave gave BC its 21st Beanpot title, snapping a nearly decade-long drought. It was a statement win, and it came with standout performances across the board.
Freshman forward Ryan Conmy put on a playmaking clinic, dishing out a career-high four assists. Defenseman Lukas Gustafsson added a goal and two helpers, while Andre Gasseau, James Hagens, Teddy Stiga, and Will Vote all chipped in two points apiece. Between the pipes, Louka Cloutier was rock-solid, stopping 27 shots - 11 of them in the final period - to close the door on the Terriers.
That win wasn’t just about lifting a trophy - it was a reminder of what this BC team is capable of when everything clicks.
Where Things Stand
Boston College enters the weekend with a 16-9-1 overall record and sits at 10-6-0 in Hockey East play. The Eagles are ranked No. 14 nationally in both the USCHO.com and USA Hockey polls - a position that reflects their depth, talent, and resilience through a grueling schedule.
Merrimack, meanwhile, comes in at 14-12-1 overall and 7-9-1 in the league. But don’t let the record fool you - the Warriors are heating up.
They’re unbeaten in their last five games (4-0-1), including a wild 9-5 win over Stonehill in their most recent outing. This is a team that’s finding its rhythm at just the right time.
Eagles by the Numbers
James Hagens continues to lead the charge offensively for BC, racking up 31 points on 15 goals and 16 assists. Dean Letourneau has been a force in the goal-scoring department, notching a team-high 16 tallies and sitting second in overall points with 28. Jake Sondreal has quietly been one of the team’s top facilitators with 14 assists, while Will Vote has reached double digits in both goals (10) and assists (11), showing his versatility as a two-way threat.
On the defensive end, Nolan Joyce leads the team with 32 blocked shots, closely followed by Aram Minnetian with 29 - key figures in BC’s ability to suppress high-danger chances.
In net, Cloutier has been a steady presence all season long. His 15-7-1 record is backed by a .914 save percentage and a 2.25 goals against average - numbers that speak to both his consistency and his ability to step up in big moments, like we saw in the Beanpot final.
Rookie Recognition
Oscar Hemming earned some well-deserved recognition this week, taking home Hockey East Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Week honors. The freshman notched two assists in BC’s 5-1 semifinal win over Harvard, helping set the tone for the Eagles’ Beanpot run.
Scouting the Warriors
Merrimack has been surging lately, and their offensive output is a big reason why. Trevor Hoskin leads the team with 27 points, including 19 assists, while Justin Gill and Nick Pierre have each lit the lamp 11 times this season. Parker Lalonde has also been a key contributor, sitting second on the team in both goals (9) and assists (15).
Between the pipes, Max Lundgren has been the workhorse. He’s started all 27 games for the Warriors, posting a .918 save percentage and a 2.54 goals against average - numbers that have kept Merrimack competitive night in and night out.
History on BC’s Side
The Eagles have historically had the upper hand in this matchup, holding an 81-28-7 all-time record against Merrimack. Last season, BC took two of three meetings, including a dominant 6-0 win to close out the regular season. In fact, the Eagles have won five of the last six meetings - a trend they’ll look to continue this weekend as they jostle for position in the Hockey East standings.
What’s Next
After this weekend’s series, BC will turn its attention to another home-and-home set - this time against UConn. The Eagles will host the Huskies at Kelley Rink on Friday before heading to PeoplesBank Arena for Saturday’s matinee. As always, both games will be available on ESPN+ and WEEI 850 AM.
But first, there’s business to take care of against a hot Merrimack squad. With confidence riding high and the Beanpot hardware back in Chestnut Hill, the Eagles are looking to keep the momentum rolling - and the Hockey East standings are very much in play.