FILE PHOTO
Lynn’s Katie Burt made 19 saves, helping the Eagles claim their seventh Beanpot crown with a 2-1 win over Northeastern on Tuesday night.
By HAROLD RIVERA
With Tuesday night’s 2-1 win over Northeastern, the No. 6 Boston College women’s hockey team won its seventh Beanpot title and its second in the last three seasons. Lynn native Katie Burt, the Eagles’ goaltender, played a big role in the win with 19 saves.
Burt said she and her teammates knew Northeastern would bring a tough three periods of hockey.
“This was a huge win for us,” Burt said. “It shows a lot of character. We knew it was a big game for us. We knew the game had a lot of implications.”
After two scoreless periods, Northeastern took a 1-0 lead in the early stages of the third. Goals scored by Kristyn Capizzano and Erin Connolly gave the Eagles the come-from-behind win. Connolly was named Beanpot MVP.
“It was a back-and-forth game in the first period but I think we started to control the game in the second period,” Burt said. “I think the difference was our forecheck. In the third period, we bared down and put the pucks in the net.”
Burt, a junior, has now won two Beanpot crowns as an Eagle. The Lynn native is 4-0 in Beanpot play.
“It’s awesome,” Burt said. “Growing up, I was super interested in the Beanpot. I’d follow the men’s tournament and, to be honest, I didn’t even know there was a women’s Beanpot until a few years before I came to BC. To have that experience, playing in two championship games and winning it twice has been really special.”
Burt added that the opportunity to clash against crosstown rivals Northeastern, Boston University and Harvard adds a little extra meaning to Beanpot games.
“The Beanpot is a really special tournament,” Burt said. “There are four amazing teams in Boston. It doesn’t matter where anybody’s ranked. You’re playing for pride and bragging rights. You’re playing for a championship in the middle of the season. It’s a really special event and we’re lucky to take part in it.”
For the Eagles (21-3-5), the 2016-2017 campaign has been a successful one. Burt and her teammates clinched the 2016-2017 Hockey East regular-season crown last Friday with a 4-4 tie against UConn. This marks the fourth year in a row that Boston College has accomplished that feat.
Boston College hosts Northeastern on Friday afternoon at 2 p.m.
“We have huge games coming up,” Burt said. “Every team in Hockey East is fighting for that next win. We have a big test against Northeastern at home. We’re just looking forward to our next game.”
In addition to remaining undefeated in Beanpot play, Tuesday’s win was Burt’s 84th career victory. She’s now 10th in NCAA career wins, one behind BU’s Kerrin Sperry (‘14), who won 85 games.
