CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - A game-winning goal from Mary Restuccia and an added insurance goal from Kelli Stack in the third period earned the Boston College women's hockey team a 3-1 victory over Harvard and its fourth Beanpot title.
"We love the Beanpot, obviously it's a fun event for our kids," Head Coach Katie King said. "To be able to have a championship in the middle of the season, it's extra special. I think our kids do a good job of getting up for it and being ready to play."
With a pair of goals and a set of assists in the tournament, Restuccia was named Most Valuable Player, her first Beanpot award. Senior captain Molly Schaus received the Joe Bertagna Goaltending Award for the third time in her career. Schaus stopped 64 shots and only allowed two goals in the 2011 tournament.
"It's a perfect ending for me," Schaus said. "We are the only team in the country to win a championship in February and we took advantage of it. I was fortunate enough to be here freshman year and to do that twice is nice."
Caitlin Walsh struck first for the Eagles, firing off a pass from Ashley Motherwell at 17:03 in the opening frame. Harvard responded at 17:39 with a quick goal from Katharine Chute, assisted by Marissa Gedman and goaltender Laura Bellamy.
After a scoreless second period, Restuccia gave scored the game-winner with an unassisted goal at 6:52 in the third. Restuccia skated up the middle and at the last minute, ducked left and put a backhanded shot behind Bellamy.
Stack added an insurance goal at 16:42 off a pass from Restuccia to earn the Eagles a 3-1 win.
BC took 29 shots on goal as Schaus made 31 saves between the pipes, including 16 in the final frame.
Next up, the Eagles will face off against New Hampshire in a home-and-away weekend series on Saturday, February 19 and Sunday, February 20.
Team Records: BC - 20-6-5 / Harvard - 14-9-4
Game Notes: This Beanpot victory is the Eagles' fourth...the last time they won was 2009, when they defeated Harvard 1-0...they also won in 2006 and 2007, making tonight's win their fourth tournament title in six years...the men's hockey team defeated Northeastern 7-6 on Monday, February 14 to take home their own Beanpot...this is the first year both teams have captured the title... Molly Schaus received her third Joe Bertagna Goaltending Award...she received her other two in 2007 and 2009... Mary Restuccia's MVP honor was her first Beanpot award... Caitlin Walsh recorded her first goal of the season in the win...it was the seventh in her career... Kelli Stack's goal was her 33rd of the season.