It's ladies' night out tonight

After 28 years, the women's 'Pot finally has some beans.

Women's hockey initiated its Beanpot in 1979, a knockoff of the beloved men's tradition. The women adopted the same schools and the same format, but they couldn't produce the same excitement.

It was not a competitive event; at least one team was always a patsy. Northeastern, a pioneer in the women's game, dominated the early years, and Harvard has ruled the last decade. Moreover, Boston University and Boston College were never really in the mix. BU was a club team, game but overmatched, and while Boston College launched its varsity program in 1994, the Eagles were not a threat until Tom Mutch took over as coach in 2003.

For this Beanpot, Harvard is not so powerful; BU's first varsity team has had some striking success; BC is at last realizing its promise; and Northeastern, decimated two years ago with the resignation of its coach and defection of its top players, is rebuilding under coach Laura Schuler.

Game on.

When Boston University and Harvard face off at 5 tonight at the Bright Center in the first of two first-round games, the women's Beanpot becomes more than a nice, politically correct tradition, it becomes a competition.

''It puts closure to the Beanpot that there's not an outcast or a lesser team," said BU coach Brian Durocher. ''Hopefully, it will be a growing event for the hockey community in Boston.

''Having the Olympians gone helps balance the field, too."

The Crimson (10-7-4), who have won the last seven Beanpots, are not as well stocked as in recent years. US Olympians Julie Chu and Caitlin Cahow and Canadian Olympian Sarah Vaillancourt are on leave to play in the Games. That still leaves the Crimson with leading scorer Jennifer Raimondi (8-17--25), and slick freshman Jenny Brine (12-10--22).

Veteran goalie Ali Boe (.903 save percentage, 2.74 goals against average) has missed two games with a concusision, but freshman Brittany Martin has played well in backstopping ties with Brown and Yale.

Harvard, currently fifth in the ECACHL standings, remains nationally ranked at No. 7.

The Terriers have quickly become a dangerous team, though the going has been slippery.

After a 10-9-4 start, BU has lost its last four. Two freshmen lead the scoring (well, all but three regulars are freshmen): Gina Kearns and Laurel Koller, each with 11 goals and 13 assists. Allyse Wilcox has been busy in goal, earning a .909 and 2.61 GAA in 24 starts (8-11-4) .

In the late game, Northeastern takes on Boston College, probably the tournament's toughest assignment. BC is now streaking at full speed, and shares the Hockey East lead with a University of New Hampshire powerhouse ranked second in the nation. The Eagles (13-9-4, 12-3-1 Hockey East) reeled off a seven-game win streak in January and though they have lost their last two, both opponents were ranked in the top 10 (UNH and No. 6 Mercyhurst).

It's youngsters who power the BC team: Franklin's Deborah Spillane, a sophomore, leads the scoring with 13 goals and 14 asssists. Senior goalie Allison Quandt (2.09 GAA, .904) has been named Hockey East Player of the Week twice this season.

The Eagles have defeated NU (5-20-1, 4-13-1 Hockey East) three times this season, each time by one goal. Sophomore Nikki Petrich leads the Huskies with eight goals and 14 assists.