Montreal Canadiens: Lane Hutson & BU Fall In Overtime To NU Huskies In Beanpot Final

2024 Beanpot Tournament - Boston College v Boston University
2024 Beanpot Tournament - Boston College v Boston University / Richard T Gagnon/GettyImages
1 of 2
Next

Montreal Canadiens top prospect Lane Hutson and his Boston University Terriers battled against the Northeastern University Huskies in the Beanpot final on Monday night.

Hutson’s number-three-ranked Terriers have dominated the college hockey scene. Emerging as the top Boston area college team. And with a win, they will secure bragging rights, cementing themselves as the best in Boston.

Much of the thanks can be attributed to strong play from Hutson and projected number one overall 2024 NHL Draft prospect Macklin Celebrini. The Terriers have become the top dogs in the NCAA men's ice hockey division. Under the bright lights of the famous Boston TD Garden, the stars came to play.

Luke Tuch joins fellow Canadiens prospect Hutson and the pair are hoping to secure the win in what could be their last crack at the title. Certainly, there will be a few current Habs tuning into the affair. Cayden Primeau, Jayden Struble and Jordan Harris played for the Huskies before they began mixing it up in La Belle Province.

The Huskies won it all last year against the Harvard University Crimson, where Habs prospect Sean Farrell played. BU came in fourth losing both of their games. While NU has won the title four of the last five years.

Hutson, Tuch Battle With NU

The puck dropped at 7:40 , the Terriers wearing their fresh white sweaters with scarlet trim.

Six minutes into the opening frame, there are just four shots in total, two apiece from each side. Celebrini made a couple of slick moves to enter the Huskies zone, before feeding Cade Webber with a slick feed. Webber couldn't find the net though; as Cameron Whitehead stood tall.

The puck seems to be following Celebrini early; every time he touches the ice, the biscuit isn't too far behind him. But neither team has been able to solve the opposing goalie and draw first blood. Although the chippiness has shown just how important the game is to both teams.

The announcer gave credit to Mathieu Caron, the Terrier's goaltender for a save. But Hutson's shot block certainly took some of the zip off it.

I stand corrected, after the commercial break, the announcer gave Hutson credit for the block. It helped sway the momentum. Celebrini found himself wide open in front of the Huskies net, and Jack Harvey forced a great turnover before setting up the freshman. Celebrini got right back to his scoring ways.

That's his 23rd goal of the season, through 25 games as and a little under one period. The Vancouver, BC native has 10 points in his last five games and change. Seven of which, have come as goals for the 17-year-old.

Celebrini has opened the scoring in his last two games. His game opening tally against the Huskies is his third of the Beanpot tournament.

1-0 BU heading into the first intermission.

Second Period

2024 Beanpot Tournament - Championship
2024 Beanpot Tournament - Championship / Brian Fluharty/GettyImages

Three minutes into the middle frame, and the Huskies have mustered up just three shots to BU's 12.

On their fifth shot of the game, Matt Demelis solved Caron, with his second goal of the season. A huge tally for the Huskies. Demelis cleaned up a greasy rebound from a Gunnarwolfe Fontaine shot.

Hutson got caught pinching after he collided with Nick Zabaneh, a split second decision made all the difference.

No worries though, because the Terriers quickly regained their one goal lead. Devin Kaplan tried to feed Sam Stevens, but the pucked deflected past Whitehead. 2-1 Terriers.

This game is not for the faint of heart, as the Huskies answered back with their sixth shot of the game. Justin Hryckowian evened things up at two.

At the 13:51 mark of the second period, the game's first penalty was handed out. The Terrier's were unable to take advantage on the powerplay.

Hutson, with time winding down in the period, lost himself in front of the Huskies net. His 11th goal and 36th point of the period gave the Terriers some wiggle room going into the second intermission.

Third Period

The Huskies are like that pesky younger sibling who should be losing much worse. Despite being heavily outshot (23-8) through two periods, they have stayed right there with BU.

Dylan Peterson flew into the Huskies zone and got tripped by Hunter McDonald. He was slow to get up on the. For his troubles, he drew a penalty.

Gavin McCarthy took an ill-advised penalty with 11:24 to go in the frame. BU's first penalty of the game was questioned by Terriers Head Coach Jay PandolfoIt. But it stands.

Again, NU just sticks around and with 13 shots to BU's 27, they are down just one goal. And wouldn't you know it, Jack Williams ties the game for the Huskies on the powerplay.

It's not quite at the point where the game needs a hero. But with 5:20 to go in the game, it feels like something big is going to end the game before extra time is needed.

With 22 seconds to go in the game, the games remains tied at three. And it stays that way, after a back-and-forth scoring affair.

Sudden Death, Gut-Check, Overtime

The next goal wins, and you bet that the Terriers' dynamic duo are on the ice. Five minutes of 3-on-3, then it goes to shootout.

Hutson almost singlehandedly willed the Terriers to a 4-3 win. What a talent this guy is going to become for the Habs.

The Huskies bit a chunk out of the Terriers, on a game-deciding tally from Fontaine, his seventh goal of the season.

manual

Next