2024 Women's Beanpot Recap

Northeastern women’s hockey team beat Boston University 2-1 in overtime Tuesday night during a historic 45th annual Women’s Beanpot.

The Beanpot has been a Boston hockey tradition for decades. Each year the hockey teams from Boston College, Boston University, Northeastern University and Harvard University all compete in the Beanpot tournament.

The tournament's first round was played at Bright-Landry Hockey Center arena, home to Harvard University.

Northeastern beat Harvard 1-0 to advance to the final round. Boston University beat Boston College 4-3 in a shootout to clinch their finals spot.

A week later on Jan. 23, 2024, the matchup was set. The reigning Beanpot champions, Northeastern Huskies played the Boston Terriers.

It was a tied 0-0 game in the first period. Junior forward Skylar Irving scored with 35 seconds left in the second period to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead going into the third period.

Throughout the third period, the Huskies held a one-goal lead until the last minute of regulation.

The Terriers pulled goalie Callie Shanahan with three minutes left to play, to put an extra man on the ice in hopes of tying the game.

With 58 seconds left of regulation, senior forward for the Terriers, Cathrine Foulem, took a shot. It went right through the legs of Northeastern goalie Gwyneth Phillips to cross the goal line and tie the game 1-1.

No one was able to capitalize on a second goal with 58 seconds left.

Overtime was short-lived when Skylar Irving took a shot 25 seconds into overtime. Irving’s shot had no trouble going right past Boston’s goaltender handing the Huskies a 2-1 overtime win.

The win gave Northeastern back-to-back Beanpot titles. Irving was named tournament MVP with a two-goal performance. Gwyneth Phillips was named the best goaltender in the tournament as well.

Before the championship game on Tuesday night, Boston College took on Harvard in the consolation round at TD Garden.

Harvard beat Boston College in a 3-2 win ending in a shootout.

This year the women’s tournament was more than just a tradition. It had many historic firsts that happened and will not be forgotten.

When the men’s tournament started in 1952, it was played at the old Boston Arena. From there it was played at the Boston Garden and now the current TD Garden. For the women’s tournament that was not the case.

For 45 years the women’s tournament has never been played in an NHL arena. Before Tuesday night the championship would be played in an on-campus arena at one of the four schools.

Not only was the championship played for the first time in an NHL arena but it was the first time a collegiate women’s hockey game was played at TD Garden.

It was the largest female hockey attendance in the city's history, with 10,633 fans who piled into TD Garden.

Viewers of New England could watch the game from NESN (New England Sports Network) which is home to the Boston Bruins and Boston Red Sox.

Another historic first was when NESN announced there would be an all-female crew for both the consolation and championship games.

Not only were the on-air reporters and analysts female-led but behind the scenes as well. Looking behind the camera were all female directors, graphics, producers and operators who worked the two games.

The 45th annual Women’s Dunkin’ Beanpot was one for the ages. Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, was a night all four teams will remember.

Hannah Valcourt is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her please email hav5095@psu.edu