Men’s Hockey Terriers Out to Defend Their Reigning Beanpot Title
BU faces Northeastern in the tournament’s semifinal at TD Garden Monday
Terrier Captain Gavin McCarthy (SHA’27) during a game against Northeastern December 13 at Matthews Arena. The Terriers begin a quest for their 33rd Beanpot title Monday, taking on Northeastern in the semifinals at TD Garden. Photo by Eliza Nuestro
Men’s Hockey Terriers Out to Defend Their Reigning Beanpot Title
BU faces Northeastern in the tournament’s semifinal at TD Garden Monday
The Men’s Beanpot—one of Boston’s most iconic college sports events—is upon us. Now in its 73rd year, the annual men’s ice hockey tournament sees four major Greater Boston college teams—Boston University, Boston College, Harvard, and Northeastern—square off.
Beginning on Monday, February 2, the first round of the 2026 Dunkin’ Beanpot will be played at TD Garden. The BU hockey team will face Northeastern at 8 pm in round two of the semifinal, preceded by a matchup between No. 13 Boston College and Harvard at 5 pm. The winners of those two games will play in the tournament championship on Monday, February 9.
“It’s super special—it means so much to the four schools around here,” Terrier defenseman Gavin McCarthy (SHA’27) says.
The Terriers, who won their record 32nd Beanpot title last year, beating the BC Eagles 4-1 in the championship game, are seeking to defend their crown after last season’s triumph.
“We saw that last year when we won it. You know how much it meant to the school and the fans,” McCarthy adds.
The Beanpot is a rare opportunity for college hockey players to play in a National Hockey League arena (TD Garden is the home of the Boston Bruins). Fortunately for the BU men’s hockey team, they played at another NHL arena this fall when they took on Cornell (winning 2-1) in the biennial Red Hot Hockey event November 29 at Madison Square Garden (home of the New York Rangers). That experience proved invaluable for the team’s newest players.
“Obviously, a lot of new guys haven’t experienced the Beanpot yet, but I think playing at Madison Square Garden is certainly going to help our guys be a bit more comfortable,” says Jay Pandolfo (CAS’96), BU head coach.
This year, BU enters the tournament in a less advantageous position than last season, when the team was ranked eighth nationally. Currently the (12-13-1) Terriers are unranked nationally for the first time under Pandolfo, who is in his fourth year helming the team.
BU is 1-4 in its last five games after losing 4-1 to BC Friday night. Goalscoring has been an issue plaguing the Terriers this season, as they’re tied for 35th nationally, averaging 2.8 goals per game. The Beanpot gives the Terriers an opportunity to build positive momentum heading into the season’s home stretch.
“I don’t think we’re creating enough second chances—I think that’s a big thing,” McCarthy says. “We’ve just got to get more pucks there and more guys there, and it’ll come. We have enough talent for sure.”
BU is 2-1 against the Huskies in this season’s three previous matchups. Their most recent meeting was December 13 in the final game at historic Matthews Arena, where the Terriers earned a 4-3 win.
The two teams played each other in the Beanpot most recently in the 2024 championship game, where Northeastern beat BU 4-3 in overtime.
The Beanpot brings 17,000-plus fans, students, alumni, faculty, and staff of all four schools to TD Garden, with each team determined to earn bragging rights for the coming year.
“It’s its own thing—every team is going to be competitive in that environment,” Pandolfo says, “and we’re certainly looking forward to it.” The players feel lucky to be a part of such a popular and storied event every year, and they’re doing everything they can to prepare for the one-of-its-kind competition.
“It’s playoff hockey in February, and it’s something that other teams around the country don’t get to experience,” McCarthy says.
The BU Student Alumni Association is hosting a free watch party for students at Sunset Cantina, 916 Commonwealth Ave., during the Beanpot semifinal game, starting at 8 pm. Light appetizers will be provided. Advance registration is required; register here. The first 100 students to arrive will receive a specialty Beanpot swag item.
The 73rd Dunkin’ Men’s Beanpot semifinal games are Monday, February 2, at TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston. Harvard will take on BC at 5 pm; BU will face Northeastern at 8 pm. The consolation and championship games will be Monday, February 9, at 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm. All Beanpot games will be played at TD Garden. Purchase tickets for the men’s Beanpot tournament here; all games will be broadcast live on NESN and streamed live on ESPN+.