PHOTO BY ZACK WILLIAMSON
Marblehead native Lexie Laing.
By JOSHUA KUMMINS
The college hockey landscape in Boston is as rich as any in the country, and the Beanpot Tournament is the chief event demonstrating the sport’s deep meaning locally.
Lexie and Brianna Laing experienced the historic tournament growing up in Marblehead, and now have the opportunity to play in it as members of the Harvard University women’s team.
It is a chance the Laing sisters and their five other Massachusetts native teammates never take for granted.
“We used to go to watch the men’s Beanpot at the (TD) Garden and watched the women’s games, so it’s just very special,” said Lexie, a sophomore forward. “Winning last year was definitely a really special moment because it hit home very much. Playing in the Beanpot is just a very special event we’re given the opportunity to do.”
Winning the Beanpot is an important goal every season, but last year’s championship ― the 14th in Crimson program history ― was an extra special one, as it handed Boston College the first blemish to its undefeated (27-0-1) record in the title game.
When the Women’s Beanpot commences for the 38th time on Tuesday night at Boston University’s Walter Brown Arena, the Crimson will have the chance to break another perfect mark. The Eagles, led by Lynn native sophomore goaltender Katie Burt, have a 27-0-0 record.
Ousting BC from its perfect track was definitely sweet for the Crimson, but winning its first Beanpot since 2010 would have felt the same against any opponent.
“Obviously, it feels a little better that we did it and ended their winning streak, but it’s the same pinnacle of winning the Beanpot,” said Lexie, who has scored five goals and nine assists in 19 games for the Crimson. “It would feel the same, honestly, if we played Northeastern or BU in the final.”
Brianna, a sophomore goaltender, says there is no deeper meaning to defending their Beanpot championship, although there is a trophy and major local bragging rights on the line.
“I don’t think it’s an added pressure,” Brianna said. “We treat every game the same and we want to win every game. We go in with the mindset that we’re prepared and we’re going to win. I don’t think it changes. No matter who we’re playing, it doesn’t matter.”
Brianna has won all three of her starts in goal in this, her junior season, playing behind senior Emerance Maschmeyer, the Crimson’s all-time saves leader.
Working with Maschmeyer ― an All-American two years ago and twice a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, given annually to the top player in women’s college hockey ― has been an incredible opportunity for Brianna through her first two-plus seasons at Harvard.
“It’s definitely a good experience and I think we play off each other,” Brianna said. “In practice, all three of the goalies ― (junior Molly Tissenbaum), Emerance, and I ― are pretty competitive, so it’s been a good environment.”
Every game at this time of year is a big one for the Crimson, currently sitting on the outside looking in at the eight-team NCAA Tournament field with just seven regular-season games to go following Tuesday.
“We definitely had some struggles, but we’re getting through it as a team,” Lexie said. “We’re just pushing through right now.”
As the Laing sisters and their Harvard team push through the remainder of the season, there is certainly desire for one “smaller” trophy on the road to the ultimate goal of a national championship in March.
Beanpot names and notes: St. John’s Prep alum Sam Kurker notched points in two of the NU men’s team’s last three games, including a two-goal, two assist effort in a 6-2 win at New Hampshire on Jan. 16. The Huskies are one of the nation’s hottest teams, entering the Beanpot on an eight-game unbeaten streak…Kurker’s Huskies take on Marblehead’s Doyle Somerby and ninth-ranked Boston University in Monday’s 8 p.m. semifinal at TD Garden. Somerby has tripled his career goal output with four goals in 25 games as a junior, including the game-winner in last Saturday’s 6-1 win over Maine. He posted 11 combined points during his first two years as a Terrier and has matched that total this year alone…Harvard’s Colin Blackwell, also a former St. John’s star, returns to the Garden ice after sitting out each of the last two Beanpot Tournaments due to concussions and post-concussion syndrome. The North Andover native has scored four goals and 13 points in 13 games for the No. 7 Crimson, including back-to-back multi-point efforts at Colgate and Cornell last weekend. … Northeastern junior Sarah Foss, a North Reading native who attended St. Mary’s for two years, has a 7-1-0 mark in her ten starts in goal for the nation’s sixth-ranked women’s team. Foss made 21 saves in her latest win on Jan. 17, a 5-2 decision over Maine. … Also on the men’s side, BC junior Ryan Fitzgerald and his freshman brother Casey are representing Malden Catholic, as is Northeastern junior Brendan Collier. … Newburyport native Josh Couturier is a freshman defenseman at BC.
Joshua Kummins can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JoshuaKummins.
