The highly anticipated Beanpot hockey tournament final on Monday night features a showdown between Boston University (BU) and Northeastern University, with the spotlight firmly on teenage sensation Macklin Celebrini. Despite Boston University’s formidable roster boasting 14 NHL draft picks, it’s Celebrini, just 17 years old, who has been the standout player on the ice, drawing attention from NHL scouts.
Celebrini, a Canadian center for BU, has already made waves in the hockey world with his remarkable performance in the USHL last year, setting records for a 16-year-old with 86 points. This season, as a college freshman, he has continued to impress, tallying 22 goals and 19 assists. With his exceptional skills and potential, Celebrini is widely projected to be the first overall pick in the upcoming NHL draft.
On the opposing side, Northeastern University may not have the same number of NHL prospects as BU, but they have been a force to reckon with in the Beanpot tournament, making their sixth consecutive appearance in the final. Despite their unranked status and a modest record this season, Northeastern has shown resilience and determination, clinching four Beanpot titles in the last five years.
The Beanpot final, held at the NHL’s Bruins home arena, promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams vying for local bragging rights and a crucial step towards national recognition. While BU enters as the favorite, Northeastern is poised to challenge their dominance and continue their recent success in the tournament.
In addition to the final, the consolation game between Boston College and Harvard adds another layer of intrigue, as both teams look to boost their postseason prospects with a victory. With the NCAA selection process heavily weighing wins over non-conference opponents, every game counts towards securing a favorable position in the postseason tournament.
As the hockey world awaits the outcome of these pivotal matchups, one thing is certain: the Beanpot tournament continues to captivate fans with its intense competition and the emergence of future NHL stars like Macklin Celebrini.