The Northeastern Huskies Are The 2018 Beanpot Champions
For the first time in 30 years the Northeastern Huskies are Beanpot champions. The trophy will be headed to Huntington Ave for the first time since 1988 and the 5th time in school history. Led by the best line in the country in Dylan Sikura, Adam Gaudette, and Nolan Stevens the Huskies put on a dominating performance Monday night against BU, beating the Terriers 5-2.
The 30-year drought was the longest active drought in the Beanpot with all the other schools winning in the past 10 years. A long overdue victory for a school that has had some good teams and always seemed to fall short. But also, a victory that hopefully leads to many more. I never understand why Northeastern doesn’t get more top recruits. They play in the best barn in the country, the best city in the country and get the play in the best college tournament in the country. Hopefully this win along with the NHL success of Sikura, Stevens and Gaudette leads to more Beanpots and top recruits.
Can’t leave out Cayden Primeau either, who stood on his head the entire tournament. 37 saves in game 1, then 36 saves on night 2 stopping 73 of 75 shots in the toury. The son of 15-year-nhl-veteran Keith Primeau and Montreal Canadiens draft pick has a very bright future ahead of him and chances are he is going to make a lot of money playing this game someday.
As for the rest of the Northeastern team, this is just the beginning for them. A team I believe can compete for a National Championship and I’m sure they believe it now too. The best line in hockey, tons of depth, and a great tendy on the back end is a recipe for a national championship if you ask me. Because it sure was a great recipe for a Beanpot title.
And how about Adam Gaudette? Just living the dream of so many of us that grew up watching the Beanpot every year. Scores a hattrick in the championship game, named tournament MVP and ended a 30-year championship drought. Kid will never pay for another drink at an NU bar ever again. What a life.
Overall, it was another successful year at the most exciting college hockey tournament in the country. The passion and emotion showed from the Northeastern fans and players showed how much this tournament win meant to the school. And the turnout was insane. The Northeastern student section took up 9 sections in the TD Garden balcony. 9! If only the rest of the country cared about college hockey the way Boston does. Now it’s on to the Frozen Four.
**Also shout out to the kids who found the open beer tap at the Garden and were drinking free beer all game. Pretty legendary.