 Media Credit: David Trudo Boston College junior Meghan Fardelmann hopes to play as well in the Beanpot as she did in last week's game vs. Connecticut.
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The Eagles (8-9-6) will have to overcome many obstacles if they are to lift the Beanpot for the third consecutive year. For starters, the Beanpot field is as dangerous as it has ever been: Harvard may well be the best team in the country, BU is a rising program playing on its home ice, and Northeastern has had BC's number this year, pulling two upsets against the Eagles.
BC also faces internal challenges. The team's offensive production, which substantially paced Hockey East last season, has dropped off significantly this year. Team defense continues to be a concern, and off-and-on play has plagued the Eagles, putting them in a fight for their Hockey East playoff lives down the stretch.
In spite of all these challenges, the Eagles are this writer's pick to take home the Beanpot this year. The Eagles pose a threat to any team in the country in a one-game, winner-take-all format, and that all starts with goaltending. Few will forget Molly Schaus's 73-save performance last year against Harvard. She validated that effort with 40-plus save games in upset victories over Dartmouth, UNH, and St. Lawrence over the past two seasons.
BC's offense is laden with talent and is overdue for a breakout. Kelli Stack and Deb Spillane are having outstanding seasons and have carried the load thus far, but the sticks of Allie Thunstrom, Meghan Fardelmann, and Becky Zavisza will not stay silent forever. Although the Eagles defense has been inconsistent, it features talented players, including Katelyn Kurth, who is one of the best freshman defensemen in Hockey East.
Offensive explosiveness, plus great goaltending, equals a recipe for success in a tournament like the Beanpot - and the Eagles will have all the motivation they need after their loss to BU earlier this season and the 7-0 thrashing they took from Harvard. Look for the Eagles to pull the upset and get their season back on track by bringing home the trophy.
Boston University
Any combination of the words "BU" and "Beanpot" in the same sentence should be enough to make BC fans shudder, and Tuesday night's match-up should be no exception. In addition to BU's Beanpot mojo, the Terriers (8-11-3) also have the advantage of playing on their home rink, the venerable Walter Brown Arena. Walter Brown has been a vexing place for BC, as the Eagles have gone 0-2-1 in their last three games at BU, while blowing out BU in all three match-ups at Conte Forum during that time.
Spring Break
