The Bruins and their followers might get used to this.
A number of high-level Bruins prospects confirmed out within the first semifinal of the 73rd Annual Beanpot at TD Backyard on Monday night time, serving to No. 11 Boston Faculty (15-8-1) topple Harvard, 5-1, to get again to the championship sport for a second straight yr.
Maybe no outing was greater than these of Boston’s two most up-to-date first-round alternatives, as 2025 seventh-overall choose James Hagens (two objectives, help) and 2024 Twenty fifth-overall choose Dean Letourneau (aim, help) mixed to anchor an early offensive eruption. Paired with Boston’s 2021 seventh-round choice Andre Gasseau’s two assists to assist him surpass 100 profession factors, followers noticed a glimpse on the doable future within the Bruins’ house enviornment.
The Eagles actually the win as they need to begin former coach Jerry York’s famously-coined “trophy season” with their first Beanpot championship since 2016. BC misplaced final yr’s closing 4-1 to Boston College in Hagens and Letourneau’s first Beanpot.
Nonetheless, it was good for BC head coach Greg Brown to see Hagens, Letourneau and Gasseau flourish within the constructing.
“I’m positive they wish to do nicely right here,” Brown stated. “They’ve been enjoying nicely for some time now, however after all, once they come right here … they wish to put a great step ahead and do nicely. We’re excited that they had been snug of their environment and excited to make an influence. You don’t know the way youngsters are going to strive too arduous generally, however our guys didn’t. They stayed proper within the second.”
After skating with the Bruins at Warrior Ice Enviornment within the preseason, Hagens determined to return to high school feeling that there was unfinished enterprise with BC. That features taking the Beanpot, and the win continues a turnaround from a 2-4-1 begin with a fourth straight victory.
“It’s an enormous a part of that (unfinished enterprise),” Hagens stated. “It’s one of many the explanation why I needed to go to high school right here, simply the wealthy historical past of the Beanpot. With the ability to step on that ice and be part of it’s actually particular and I’m grateful to be right here.”
Hagens made his mark very early, scoring twice in a runaway opening interval that gave the Eagles a 3-0 lead regardless of freshman goalie Louka Cloutier (a Colorado Avalanche 2024 fifth-round choose) needing to rack up 18 of his 30 saves.
Hagens’ first was a rebound aim in entrance off of freshman Oscar Hemming’s preliminary shot, giving BC a 2-0 lead with 6:49 left within the body. Simply 2:10 later, Hagens handed to Hemming on his left on a 2-on-2 rush, Hemming acquired across the edge, and slid a cross throughout the entrance to Hagens on the backdoor for a 3-0 benefit.
“It was actually particular,” Hagens stated.
Hull native Ryan Healey, a Minnesota Wild 2022 fourth-round choose, acquired a aim again for Harvard within the first minute of the second interval to flip momentum, ending off a three-shot flurry that the Eagles couldn’t filter out. Power continued to construct for the Crimson regardless of a livid cost as BC’s assault produced all through the second. Harvard goalie Ben Charette (38 saves) stood on his head with a 20-save body.
But, BC once more discovered the again of the online with below 30 seconds left within the second on an influence play, tipped house by Letourneau for the 4-1 lead. Hagens had the first help with a one-timer from the purpose.
Different notable performances got here from NHL prospects got here all through as Eagles junior Drew Fortescue (2023 New York Rangers third-round choice) had the sport’s opening tally, giving BC a 1-0 lead lower than 4 minutes in. A lot of the Eagles’ win wasn’t doable with out Cloutier’s sturdy opening body.
