Harvard claims the title

New stars shine bright for Crimson

By Susan Bickelhaupt, Globe Staff, 2/13/2002

50TH ANNUAL BEANPOT Full coverage  FROM THE GLOBE Feb. 13, 2002 Inspired Pandolfo gave BU a lift Women: Harvard claims the title Feb. 12, 2002 Lately, it's BU MVP puts fresh spin on tourney NU loses game, wins admiration Notebook: Early birds get the win  BEANPOT TITLES BU | 24 BC | 12 HARVARD | 10 NU | 4 Year-by-year results and MVP's  BEANPOT MEMORIES 1952 The inaugural "New England Invitational" tournament was played at the Boston Arena (now Matthews Arena) in December as Harvard beat Boston University, 7-4, in the final. Then-Boston-Garden president Walter Brown will later commandeer Tony Nota with the task of sending an appropriate trophy. Nota, a mailroom employee, settles on a silver-plated pot. 1954 The tournament moves to the Boston Garden, which will host the next 42 before its demolition in 1995. Opening-night attendance in 1954: 711. Attendance in 1995: 14,448. 1955 Bill Cleary leads Harvard to its second title and wins the tournament MVP award after tallying four goals in one period – a tournament record that still stands. Cleary eventually will be known as "Mr. Beanpot" – the only man to play, referee, and coach in it. Cleary even had a son who played in the Beanpot. 1978 The blizzard of the century is no match for diehard Beanpot fans as 11,666 of them trek to the Garden for the opening round.Many of the fans were stranded there for four days. 1980 Wayne Turner's overtime goal for Northeastern in the final triggers a frenzied celebration as the Huskies end 27 years of Beanpot frustration and earn their first championship with a 5-4 win over Boston College. 1988 After dispatching BU for the title in 1985 with a spectacular 32-save performance as a freshman, goaltender Bruce Racine caps off his senior season by leading NU to its fourth Beanpot of the ’80s. 1989 After not making it past the first round in seven years, Harvard ran up the offense with a 9-6 victory over BU for its first title since 1981. It was the highest scoring championship game in tournament history. The Crimson's crowning moment also gave coach Cleary his 300th career victory. 2000 BU etched its name on the trophy often in tournament history, winning eight of 10 titles from 1966 to 1973. The Terriers added eight more in the '90s,and made it clear in the first tournament of the new century that their dominance would continue. A 4-1 win over Boston College at the FleetCenter gives BU a record sixth straight championship and brings BU coach Jack Parker his 15th title. 2001 The last six years may have belonged to BU, but this was undeniably BC's year. The Eagles knocked out the Terriers, 5-3, and then continued their tear through the season, adding a Hockey East championship and a national title to their spoils.

wo of the star players on the Harvard women's hockey team are off in Salt Lake City, in pursuit of a gold medal. No matter.

The Crimson defeated Boston College, 7-2, to win their fourth straight Beanpot last night before an announced crowd of 420 at Matthews Arena.

Harvard (13-9-1) is missing Angela Ruggeiro, who skates with the US team, and Jen Botterill, who is skating for Canada and was MVP of the World Championships last year.

But the Crimson prevailed, anyway. Harvard has won eight Beanpot titles in the 24-year history of the tournament; the Eagles have won none.

Goalkeeper Alison Kuusisto, who made 20 saves, is the only member of the Harvard team to be on all four Beanpot champions since 1999.

Harvard scored two goals in the first period, then added two in the second, including a power-play strike by sophomore Lauren McAuliffe, who had the game-winner in overtime in the first round against Northeastern.

Down, 4-0, after two periods, BC attempted to threaten in the third, getting a breakaway goal by Alaina Clark. But Harvard came back with two quick goals to go ahead, 6-1.

Both teams scored in the final minute, Missy Barsz for BC and McAuliffe for Harvard.

Harvard junior Tracy Catlin, who had two goals and two assists, was named MVP of the tournament. She also had two goals in last week's first-round game.

Crimson coach Katey Stone, with seven freshmen and just two seniors on her team, had concerns going into the game.

''You never know, we're very young,'' she said. ''And BC has never won, so you know they're going to be hungry.''

But Harvard turned out to be hungrier, and went home with the Beanpot.

''We're just so happy,'' said Stone. ''It belongs in Cambridge, and it should stay there as long as it can.''

In the consolation game, Northeastern (23-5-0) ended an unsettling three-game losing streak with an 8-0 shutout of Boston University.

''Everyone played, and that was great,'' said NU coach Joy Woog, who put 17 players on the ice.

NU goalie Jennifer Buckley, starting for only the second time this season, didn't have much to do, making only five saves.

Freshman Liane Dixon of Vineyard Haven scored a hat trick, with one goal in the first period and two in the second.

BU goalies Megan Connor and Christy Benoit combined to make 38 saves.

This story ran on page C13 of the Boston Globe on 2/13/2002.
© Copyright 2002 Globe Newspaper Company.