Feb. 4, 2008

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BOSTON - Hoping for an ignition to a late-season surge, the Boston University men's ice hockey team (8-13-4) will look to continue its dominance of the Beanpot tournament when it takes on arch-rival Boston College (12-6-7) in the first round on Monday (Feb. 4) at 8 p.m. The Terriers have claimed the title in 11 of the last 13 years and will be looking to capture the trophy for the fourth straight season.

The 56th Beanpot will kick off with a match-up between Harvard (7-10-3) and Northeastern (12-8-3) at 5 p.m. The two winners will meet for the title on Monday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m., preceded by the consolation game. The title game and both first-round tilts will be broadcast live by NESN.

The Terriers and Eagles have met for the title of Boston bragging rights in each of the last two seasons with BU coming out on top each time, including a 2-1 overtime victory last year. When entering the Beanpot as the defending champions, the Terriers are 25-2 in the first round. The lone exceptions were 1980 and 1983, when BU finished fourth and third, respectively.

During the first 55 years, the Terriers have won it an unparalleled 28 times. After winning the Beanpot just once in the `50s and three times in the `60s, BU has won it 24 times in the last 38 years. The next most successful school in the tournament is BC, which has only won the coveted trophy less than half as many times as BU (13). Next is Harvard with 10 titles, while Northeastern has lifted the Beanpot just four times and not since 1988.

A win over the Eagles in this year's first-round match-up would send the Terriers to the Beanpot title game for the 14th consecutive year and 24th time in the last 25 years.

The Terriers come into this year's tournament with an all-time record of 80-30 (.727), including a 27-10 (.730) mark versus BC.

Five current Terriers have scored two Beanpot goals. Senior Pete MacArthur and juniors Chris Higgins and Jason Lawrence each have four career points in the tournament with two goals and two assists apiece. Senior Bryan Ewing has recorded two tallies and an assist, while classmate Dan McGoff has two goals. No current goaltender has made an appearance in the Beanpot.

BU is coming off a 4-1 home victory over Merrimack on Friday, as the Terriers allowed an early goal before reeling off four straight tallies, including three in the third period. The Eagles suffered a 3-2 home loss to Providence on Friday.

The cross-town rivals have already played their Hockey East season series. The Eagles won the first two meetings of the year before the squads battled to a 2-2 draw at Conte Forum on Jan. 19 in one of the Terriers' best overall efforts of the season.