The 69th annual Beanpot could be determined by dueling backup goaltenders that have played lights out since taking over the top job.
Boston University (14-7-2) will look to secure its record 31st title when the Terriers take on reigning champion Northeastern (19-8-1) in the championship game (7:30) on Monday night at TD Garden. Harvard faces Boston College in the consolation game at 4:30.
The Huskies are going for a school-record fourth straight Beanpot championship, a run that was interrupted when the 2021 tournament was cancelled due to the pandemic.
BU will go with sophomore Vinny Duplessis in net while NU will start freshman T.J. Semptimphelter in what will be the biggest game in their respective collegiate careers.
Duplessis was cast into the spotlight when Drew Commesso was selected to compete for the U.S. National team in the Beijing Olympics.
“I think if you look at both (semifinal) games, both goalies played well with them being guys that haven’t played a lot of hockey stepping in on that stage,” said BU coach Albie O’Connell. “I thought Vinny handled himself well and I thought their goalie handled himself well and he made a couple of huge stops to win them that hockey game. I think it is a unique situation with the Olympics and how that entire situation transpired.
“But it’s one man down, one man up and a good opportunity for those guys to help their team win a hockey game and try and push for the starting job at some point.”
Semptimphelter was elevated when Devon Levi left to play for the Canadian National Team. One of these two will likely be the recipient the Eberly Award, presented annually since 1974 to the goaltender with the best save percentage.
“It is unique, especially where both teams have their No. 1 goaltenders at the Olympics,” said NU coach Jerry Keefe. “But again, it does show the depth in college hockey. You need good goaltending and depth at that position to win and you hope for both goaltenders to go in and play well and both teams play well.
“But it is exciting for both teams that there are guys that step up in the Beanpot and play really well and get rewarded for it. We are hopeful it will pay off for us.”
Duplessis finished with 22 saves in the Terriers’ 4-3 victory over an explosive Harvard team in the opening semifinal on Feb. 7. He held the Crimson scoreless in the third period with seven saves and withstood a blistering 6-on-5 onslaught in the final two minutes.
Duplessis followed with 24 saves in the Terriers 4-1 victory over Providence on Thursday night at Schneider Arena, one of the most inhospitable glacial snake pits in college hockey. Duplessis notched his third-straight win since taking the top spot.
“Vinny had good poise and in between games there was conversation of playing Ashton Abel,” said O’Connell. “But Vinny has played in a lot of junior hockey and I think the more he plays the more comfortable he gets.
“He gained a little bit more confidence in that (Harvard) game and he’s a competitor. We are happy that he had another good result and hopefully he can carry that into the Beanpot.”
Semptimphelter recorded a remarkable 41 saves in the Huskies 3-1 semifinal win over a desperate Boston College team. The freshman from Marlton, N.J., showed poise and athleticism while many of his stops against the Eagles fell within the realm of spectacular.
Semptimphelter carried that momentum into the Huskies 4-2 win over league leader UMass-Lowell on Friday night at Tsongas Arena, another nefarious viper nest in Hockey East.
“There is no doubt he’s confident and he’s got some experience now playing against really good teams and playing in a big venue,” said Keefe. “I think more importantly that our group is really confident playing in front of him and that’s a big step for a goaltender knowing that your teammates trust you. He’s playing really well and we are excited for him to go into the Garden and have another good performance for us.”
The atmosphere created by the four camps on opening night fostered a Beanpot revival in the Garden. There was a near capacity 15,535 in attendance covering both games. The sustainable noise levels initiated by the fans and the school bands brought motivation to the skaters on the ice.
“We are really excited about the opportunity to play in the second game at the Garden and compete for the Beanpot championship,” said O’Connell. “I think the guys are very excited and there is a buzz around campus and I think there is a buzz around the city. Obviously the Beanpot is back and if you were paying attention last week, it felt like it was 15 years ago. I’m hoping and expecting kind of the same environment for the championship game.”