Boston College beats Boston University 4-1 at Agganis Arena, sharpening focus ahead of Beanpot

Boston College takes rivalry win on the road

Boston College defeated Boston University 4-1 on Friday night at Agganis Arena, using an early strike, second-period finishing and late-game game management to pull away in the latest installment of the “Battle of Comm Ave.” The matchup came days before the start of the Beanpot, the annual four-team tournament that also includes Harvard and Northeastern.

BC opened the scoring less than four minutes into the game when Andre Gasseau converted early pressure into a 1-0 lead. The Eagles appeared to add a second goal in the opening period, but it was waved off following an offside call, leaving the teams separated by a single goal after 20 minutes.

Second-period burst stretches the margin

Boston College extended the lead in the second period with two goals that changed the shape of the game. James Hagens finished a 2-on-1 rush to make it 2-0, and Dean Letourneau added another to push the advantage to 3-0 before the third period. With a three-goal cushion, BC shifted toward a more conservative approach that emphasized structure in the neutral zone and layered defending in front of its net.

BU responds on the power play, but BC closes it out

Boston University found a foothold early in the third period with a power-play goal that cut the deficit to 3-1. BU sustained pressure afterward, forcing BC to defend through extended shifts and contest entries at the blue line. A key sequence arrived when Boston College failed to cash in during a 5-on-3 advantage, a missed opportunity that kept BU within reach as the clock moved into the final minutes.

BC ultimately steadied the game with late special-teams work and clock control. An empty-net goal in the closing stretch provided the final margin and ended BU’s comeback hopes.

What the result means with the Beanpot next

The win gives Boston College a rivalry boost heading into the Beanpot, where single-game swings often hinge on discipline, goaltending and special teams. Friday’s game featured multiple momentum points tied to officiating decisions and man-advantage situations, including a disallowed BC goal in the first period, BU’s third-period power-play finish, and BC’s inability to convert a 5-on-3.

• BC scored first and held the lead throughout.

• BC’s second-period scoring created separation before BU’s third-period push.

• Special teams shaped key stretches, even as five-on-five play remained tightly contested late.

The teams are not scheduled to meet again until later in the season, making this a stand-alone rivalry result ahead of tournament play.

Both programs now turn quickly to the Beanpot, where the compressed format raises the stakes for every detail—from faceoffs and penalty discipline to late-game execution with a lead.