Photo credit, Aram Boghosian, The Boston Globe.A pair of second-period goals by junior Wade Megan and stellar netminding by senior Kieran Millan propelled BU past Harvard in the Beanpot opener, 3-1. For the 16th time in 18 years—and 49th time in 60 years—Terriers will skate in the Beanpot championship game, taking on BC, which easily dispatched Northeastern.
7:30 into the middle period, Megan took a Sahir Gill pass at the right post and slipped the puck past goalie Steve Michalek for a power play goal. Escobedo picked up his second assist. Six-and-a-half minutes later, Megan walked out of the left corner into the crease and backhanded a shot past Michalek for his team-leading 14th marker of the campaign. Gill assisted on the goal, which recalled a Nick Bonino score against Harvard in the 2009 Beanpot semi.
Terriers got on the board in the first period on sophomore Matt Nieto's wrap-around goal, his 11th of the season. Assists went to Alex Chiasson and Sean Escobedo. Meanwhile Millan kept the Crimson at bay with several slick saves, including one on a shorthanded breakaway by freshman Colin Blackwell.
7:30 into the middle period, Megan took a Sahir Gill pass at the right post and slipped the puck past goalie Steve Michalek for a power play goal. Escobedo picked up his second assist. Six-and-a-half minutes later, Megan walked out of the left corner into the crease and backhanded a shot past Michalek for his team-leading 14th marker of the campaign. Gill assisted on the goal, which recalled a Nick Bonino score against Harvard in the 2009 Beanpot semi.
Harvard got on the board on a power play late in the second period after Chiasson partially fanned on a clearing attempt. Millan turned away ten Crimson shots in a penalty-free third period for game total of 29 saves. Senior Kevin Gilroy nearly extended BU's lead early in the third when his shot clanged off the post.
Captain Chris Connolly on Megan's two-goal game:
"He's not afraid to go in front of the net and bang home greasy goals. Somebody's got to do that. I think that's the key to a good power play and the reason why we've been pretty successful as of late. You don't see a lot of pretty goals on the power play. Wade stands in that crease
area and isn't afraid to get his nose dirty, and he's obviously been rewarded with a lot of time out there.
● GoTerriers.com recap, comprehensive box score, photo gallery
● Video highlights
● Daily Free Press recap, analysis, slide show
● USCHO recap and Megan feature
● BU Today recap
● New England Hockey Journal recap
● Hockey East Online recap
● Boston Globe recap
● Boston Herald recap, notebook
● College Hockey News’ Megan feature, The Take Away
● ESPN Boston recap
► The game was the 100th career game for Megan, whose 14 goals are one more than his freshman and sophomore totals combined.
► Six years ago last night, BU beat Harvard in the Beanpot semi, 5-3, when then-freshman Chris Higgins scored a highlight-reel goal. (video)
► Top ranked-BU improved its overall record to 17-8-1
►One blog reader pointed out that for 60th year, there will be no Harvard-Northeastern matchup in a championship game.
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