It has been a long road for the Beanpot’s two largest underdogs – Harvard and Northeastern – but for the first time in the 71-year history of the tournament the two teams with the most difficult history – Harvard and Northeastern – will play for a championship.
Matt Coronato scored twice for Harvard but Marek Hejduk netted his second goal of the game with 1.5 seconds remaining in overtime as the Crimson defeated Boston College, 4-3.
HARVARD WINS IT WITH 1.5 SECONDS TO GO!!!@HarvardMHockey | @hockey_east pic.twitter.com/4DVFzD6gt3
— NESN (@NESN) February 7, 2023
The victory spoiled a late comeback from the Eagles where Nikita Nesterenko scored with 3:41 remaining and Cutter Gauthier added an extra-attacker goal with 1:31 left.
In the nightcap, Northeastern dominated, taking a 2-0 lead on goals by Aidan McDonough, his 18th, and Jakov Novak.
Don't let the 'Skies get hot. #HowlinHuskies | 📺 @NESN pic.twitter.com/f2ZT0JSMA8
— Northeastern Men’s Hockey (@GoNUmhockey) February 7, 2023
Though Matt Brown answered for BU with 1:51 remaining, Hunter McDonald sealed the victory, a 3-1 win, with an empty net goal.
Harvard and Northeastern will meet in the title game for the first time in the tournament’s 71-year history. Harvard has won the tournament 11 times, most recently in 2017. Northeastern has won the event seven times but most recently had a three-peat from 2018 Â through 2020.
