By Bob Monahan, Globe Staff, 02/14/1984

Emotional. That's the only word to describe what happened at Boston Garden last night after Northeastern beat Boston University in the Beanpot finals.

It was a flood of emotion that started when the final buzzer said that NU had defeated BU, 5-2, before a packed house.

When the NU players were given the prized trophy, they skated it around the ice and singled out a special section to acknowledge two fine people, who were in wheelchairs. They were coach Fern Flaman's son, Terry, who has a kidney disorder, and his wife, Jeanne, who is recovering from a broken knee.

Flaman was crying as he left the Garden bench and headed for the dressing room. Fern Flaman, the former Bruin defenseman who made No. 14 one to be feared in the National Hockey League.

Flaman pulled himself together and talked with his players for a short while. He thanked them all for the great win they had given Northeastern.

Then Flaman grinned as he opened a bottle of champagne, and he laughed when the cork hit the ceiling and the bubbly stuff spilled on the floor. He was relaxed for a moment and talked with scores of media people.

"Yes, our guys played a very fine game," he said. "Tim Marshall deserved to be named the Most Valuable Player. He was super. The defensemen played smart and tough and did everything they were told to do. The forwards played perhaps their best game of the year and helped the defensemen all night. It was a terrific effort."

Flaman was composing himself when his son, Terry, was wheeled into the crowded locker room.

Flaman took a hard look at the former Harvard defenseman, and he started to cry again. He hugged his son and thanked him.

Terry said, "I told you guys I'd be here. And by here, I mean not just in the Garden, but in the locker room with you. It was such a great game. You guys did a terrific job all night. I just want to congratulate you. Thanks."

Terry then acknowledged every player and after a very brief lull, the entire team gave Terry a tremendous applause.

Terry Flaman added to one of NU's biggest hockey wins. He even stole the thunder from some of the stars.

Marshall, the Hull junior who couldn't play last Saturday because of a neck injury, said, "We knew Terry and Mrs. Flaman would be at the game. So we all agreed that we would do everything in our power to win for them. Am I ever so glad we did."

Tricaptain Ken Manchurek grinned, "We really won it for Jeanne and Terry. They're great people. There was no way we were about to lose. No way. We had too many things going for us, and every guy gave 100 percent.

"I feel so good for every one. You know, the last time NU won the Beanpot was in 1980, and I was in the stands watching the game as a recruit with Brian Fahringer.

"This was a last-shot thing for we seniors, and it couldn't have turned out better. I'll never forget this night."

Northeastern players shook Terry's hand and patted him on the back. They smiled and grinned, but when most of them left, they had tears in their eyes. Tears that were shed without shame.

They knew that they had played their hearts out for some very good people. And seeing Terry, who was indeed a profile of courage, right in the thick of things seemed to make them appreciate the victory all the more.