Winds Of Change
If Harvard’s schedule looks a little different from previous years, there’s a reason. Two items had changed from Beanpots in the Crimson’s past.
First, Harvard was playing in the late game in the Beanpot. In the last several years, Harvard has played in the early semifinal on the first Monday in February, then played in the earlier consolation game on the second.
The last time Harvard played in the late game was in 1998, when Harvard met Boston University in the championship game, in which BU won 2-1 in overtime.
The second difference was in the schedule Harvard played around the Beanpot. In past years, Harvard has had two league games prior to the Monday matchups. Starting last year and continuing this year, the Crimson played just one game the weekends before the Beanpot. Harvard played a lone game against Brown last Saturday, and will play one game against Yale before next Monday’s consolation.
“Our league ADs voted for the change a few years ago, and we’re really grateful to have the time off,” said Harvard coach Mark Mazzoleni. “I’m very appreciative of our league allowing us to do that. I’m just sorry we haven’t had the results yet.”
Harvard was 1-1 in last year’s Beanpot, losing in the semifinal game to BU 2-1, and winning 4-1 over Northeastern in the consolation.
Fathers And Sons
The Beanpot connects generations of fans. Sometimes players, too.
Boston College’s Ned Havern, who scored BC’s second goal in Monday’s Eagles win, is the son of Robert Havern, who played for Harvard. The elder Havern’s team played in the tournament, but never captured a trophy.
“I’ve got something on him, since he’s never won a Beanpot,” joked Ned Havern. “It’s time to bring something home to put on the kitchen table.”
Deadlocked
With a win in the evening game with Harvard, BC head coach Jerry York pulled into a tie for winningest active coach. The person he’s tied with? Jack Parker, coach of Boston University, BC’s opponent in next week’s Beanpot championship. The legendary coaches are tied with 688 wins apiece.
Parker won his 688th just hours before, in the semifinal game against Northeastern. While both BC and BU have games against Hockey East opponents this weekend, the two may be playing next Monday night to break the tie.
“Jack and I joke that we’d each have to coach another 20 years to catch [former Michigan State head coach] Ron Mason,” said York. “Hockey’s a team game, and we’re not looking to get any individual honors out of this.”
