Huskies fall to BU in overtime Beanpot shootout

Northeastern will play Harvard at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 9 for third place.

Northeastern University’s men’s hockey team came up just short in a 2026 Dunkin’ Beanpot semifinal, falling to a resilient Boston University in a nailbiter that went into a second overtime.

It was 2-2 after regulation in a back-and-forth battle. The Huskies took leads in the first and second periods only to see the Terriers tie it up and then grab the victory in a shootout.

“It was a good college hockey game,” Northeastern coach Jerry Keefe said in a press conference after the game. “I’ve been on the right side of those. They feel really good, obviously, tonight, being on the other side is not a great feeling.”

Northeastern will play Harvard at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 9 for third place. BU will battle Boston College for the championship later that evening.

Win or lose, the Northeastern community was out in full force for Monday night’s semifinal.

Shaking hands, posing for selfies and joining animated fans in cheering on the Huskies, Northeastern President Joseph E. Aoun helped boost the enthusiasm among students in the DogHouse.

Cheering Northeastern fans hold a large American flag banner featuring a husky graphic during the Men’s Beanpot semifinal at TD Garden. — 02/02/26 – BOSTON, MA. – Northeastern takes on Boston University in the 47th Men’s Beanpot semi-final game held at TD Garden on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Northeastern and Boston University players collide near the crease as the BU goalie drops to the ice during a tense play in the Beanpot semifinal. — 02/02/26 – BOSTON, MA. – Northeastern takes on Boston University in the 47th Men’s Beanpot semi-final game held at TD Garden on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

The Beanpot is an important tradition meant to celebrate not just Northeastern, but the city’s larger collegiate sports scene, Aoun said.

“It’s not just for Northeastern, but for the greater community of universities in Boston — BU, Northeastern, Harvard and BC, as well as the alums, parents, families and students,” he said. “It’s a time of the year when there’s a friendly competition, and everybody is excited. I love it.”

And the Northeastern fans agreed.

Northeastern men’s hockey players in red jerseys cluster together in celebration on the ice after a goal during the Beanpot semifinal. — 02/02/26 – BOSTON, MA. – Northeastern takes on Boston University in the 47th Men’s Beanpot semi-final game held at TD Garden on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. Photo by Alyssa Stone/Northeastern University

Northeastern players stand shoulder to shoulder along the blue line during pregame ceremonies at TD Garden, illuminated by arena lights. — 02/02/26 – BOSTON, MA. – Northeastern takes on Boston University in the 47th Men’s Beanpot semi-final game held at TD Garden on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. Photo by Alyssa Stone/Northeastern University

“The vibe is great,” said Northeastern fourth-year student Gencay Padir, who was rocking a red Husky jersey over a black pullover hoodie.

“It’s a school spirit thing,” said Padir, describing his love for the game. “It’s one time out of the year we get to come here and we really get to enjoy repping Northeastern for our hockey team.”

Fifth-year student Oliver Sterns has been a part of Northeastern pep band since his freshman year, and he loves it just as much as the day he joined.

Beanpot games are a particular favorite, he said.

Two Northeastern players in suits and coats walk confidently through an equipment-filled arena hallway on their way to the Beanpot semifinal at TD Garden. — 02/02/26 – BOSTON, MA. – Northeastern takes on Boston University in the 47th Men’s Beanpot semi-final game held at TD Garden on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

A Northeastern player wearing a black fedora-style hat and suit walks alone through a narrow backstage corridor beneath TD Garden. — 02/02/26 – BOSTON, MA. – Northeastern takes on Boston University in the 47th Men’s Beanpot semi-final game held at TD Garden on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

“I feel like everyone really gets into it,” said Sterns in describing the Beanpot. “It’s a lot of fun to have people cheer behind as we are playing.”

NU TV sports directors Breanna Adel and Graciana Thompson have attended the Beanpot since their sophomore years, so there was no way they were going to miss the Monday night game.

“It’s really special to have gotten to see this program over the past four years and to get to celebrate it today and going forward,” said Adel, a program she’s been able to get deeper look into as a student leader of the university’s student-run video production club.

Thompson said this game was particularly important for the group since it was last they were going to see as students.

“We really love this team. We really love this program, and Beanpot has a really great vibe,” said Thompson.

02/02/26 – BOSTON, MA. – Northeastern takes on Boston University in the 47th Men’s Beanpot semi-final game held at TD Garden on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. Photo by Alyssa Stone/Northeastern University

Northeastern junior Dylan Hryckowian put the Huskies on top, 1-0, on a power play goal midway through the first period.

Captain Vinny Borgesi passed the puck down to Amine Hajibi in the right circle, Hajibi passed it back to Borgesi, who sent a no-look pass to Hryckowian in the left slot, and he fired a shot past B.U. goalie Mikhail Yegorov’s right side into the net at 9:20.

Northeastern goaltender Lawton Zacher kept the score at 1-0 in the first, making 10 saves. And none were bigger than two at the end of the first period. The Terriers had a three-on-two break into the Huskies’ zone. Zacher kicked the first shot wide and B.U.’s Cole Eiserman fired the rebound on net that Zacher kicked away on the biggest save of the first period.

The Terriers tied up the game about two minutes into the second period. Jonathan Morello tipped a backhander by Charlie Trethewey past Zacher to make it 1-1.

Northeastern regained the lead about three minutes later on a goal by Jacob Mathieu. Hryckowian tossed a pass over to Mathieu and he fired a shot to the far side, low corner to put the Huskies back on top, 2-1.

Boston University evened the game once again when Nick Roukounakis carried the puck into the offensive zone and snapped a shot into the top corner over Zacher’s right shoulder, making 2-2. Zacher would later sustain an injury during overtime that would pull him out of the game.

The Boston University Terriers and the Northeastern Huskies stand opposite each other on the ice with the stadium dark. — 02/02/26 – BOSTON, MA. – Northeastern takes on Boston University in the 47th Men’s Beanpot semi-final game held at TD Garden on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Northeastern entered the matchup with a 12-12 overall record, including a 7-9 mark in Hockey East play. The Terriers entered the tournament looking to defend the Beanpot title they won last season, sitting slightly under .500 with a 12-13-1 overall record and 8-10-0 in Hockey East play.