“I think every Beanpot final is exciting,’’ Whitney said. “Playing BU is a little bit of a bonus for us.’’
With about 8 minutes left in the blowout, Boston College students began a loud chant of “We want BU!’’ in a nearly empty TD Garden.
It will be the 21st time the archrivals meet for the Beanpot championship, with BU holding a 12-8 advantage. The schools are separated by just a couple of miles on Commonwealth Avenue.
“When I was younger I always watched the BC-BU rivalry and Beanpots,’’ said Gaudreau, a freshman wing who originally committed to Northeastern before a coaching change after last season. “Just to be able to play in one (tonight) and do well is an awesome experience for me.’’
Boston College won last year’s Beanpot, beating Northeastern 7-6 in overtime for its second consecutive title and third in four years. The Eagles are looking for their 17th crown.
Paul Carey had two goals and Barry Almeida also scored for the fifth-ranked Eagles, who won the 2008 and 2010 NCAA titles. BU captured the national championship in 2009.
Anthony Bitetto scored on a two-man advantage for the Huskies (11-12-3). NU hasn’t won the Beanpot since 1988.
Whitney’s short-handed goals were sandwiched around Gaudreau’s second of the game, giving the Eagles a 5-1 lead after two periods.
“We got schooled today — bad,’’ Northeastern coach Jim Madigan said.
Gaudreau’s drop pass in the slot set up Carey’s first goal to give BC a 1-0 edge 5:14 into the game. Gaudreau stole the puck from defenseman Luke Eibler before slipping a backhander between goalie Chris Rawlings’ pads to make it 2-0 at 9:43.
Whitney one-timed Almeida’s pass to complete a 2-on-1 break for his first short-handed score. He wristed one glove side after his initial shot was blocked and came right back to him for his second with the Eagles down a skater.
In the opener, Wade Megan scored a pair of second-period goals and Kieran Millan stopped 29 shots to help the Terriers (17-8-1) advance to their 26th championship game in 29 years.
Matt Nieto had the other goal for BU, which won for the seventh time in nine games. Earlier in the day, the Terriers took over the top spot in the NCAA Division I poll compiled by U.S. College Hockey Online.
