Amonte’s Overtime Goal Sends BU to Beanpot Final Against Northeastern

By Brian Lee
BU News Service

There will be a new Beanpot champion in 2018.

Boston University defeated Harvard 3-2 in an enthralling double-overtime victory on Monday night, unseating the reigning titleholders and capturing a berth in the tournament’s 66^th championship game in one week against Northeastern.

At the 1:55 mark in the second overtime period, freshman forward Ty Amonte found the loose puck, raced down more than half the length of the rink and fired a shot past goalie Merrick Madsen from inside Crimson’s face off circle.

As the puck nestled into the back of the net, Madsen fell to his knees with his face to the ice and the Terriers clustered jubilantly.

BU (15-11-2) now has the opportunity to capture its first Beanpot title since 2015.

“Just really happy for our seniors,” head coach David Quinn said after the game. “You can’t have success or win championships without leadership. … They showed it off the ice, and they certainly showed it in their performance.”

Amonte’s goal was the rousing culmination of an up-and-down night for the Terriers.

The team got out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first period after a goal by freshman Logan Cockerill at the 8:02 mark.

But after a sound start, BU flatlined in the second period. The Terriers were outshot by the Crimson 20-4 and lost the lead on a Ty Pelton-Bryce goal just before the second intermission.

“I certainly didn’t feel good about our chances after the second period,” Quinn said. “I loved what I saw in the third period and the overtime.”

In the third, the teams traded goals only 92 seconds apart within the first three minutes. But BU was noticeably more aggressive on offense, outshooting Harvard 12-7.

After that, there was no scoring until Amonte ended the game.

Both teams had ample chances, with BU amassing 12 shots to Harvard’s 10 in the first overtime.

Much of the Terriers’ success can be attributed to sophomore goalie Jake Oettinger, who saved his first 26 shots and finished with 47.

In the end, it was Amonte’s signature play from below the dot that saved the night for the Terriers.

BU now turns its attention to Northeastern next week without star forward Jordan Greenway, who will be leaving to join the United States National Men’s Hockey Team for the upcoming Olympic games in South Korea.

The Huskies defeated Boston College 3-0 earlier in the day and are looking to end their Beanpot title drought dating back to 1988.

BU’s all-time record against Northeastern in the Beanpot is 33-8.

“To play against a rival like them,” senior defenseman Brandon Hickey said, “It’s definitely going to be a lot of fun.”