Beanpot final pits Harvard, Northeastern for 1st time in 70 years

Marek Hejduk scored two goals, including the game-winner by 1.5 seconds in overtime, and the Harvard Crimson outlasted the Boston College Eagles 4-3 in one of the beanpot semifinals Monday night at TD Garden in Boston.

The annual college hockey tournament, which featured four Boston-area schools, did not disappoint on Day 1 this year. Hejduk, the son of former NHL forward Milan Hejduk, saved the Crimson, who blew a two-goal lead in the last four minutes of regular time.

But the Eagles (9-11-6) couldn’t round off the comeback, and Harvard (16-6-1) will face Northeastern in next Monday’s Finals. The Huskies defeated the Boston University Terriers 3-1 in the other semifinal, ensuring fans will see history next week. It’s the first time in the tournament’s 70-year history that Northeastern and Harvard have met in the title game.

Matthew Coronato scored two goals on the power play for Harvard in the win. Nikita Nesterenko scored for the Eagles and teammate Lukas Gustafsson added two assists.

In the other semifinal, Huskies goaltender Devon Levi made 33 saves against the Terriers (20-7-0) that ended a seven-game winning streak.

Aidan McDonough, Jakov Novak and Hunter McDonald scored as Northeastern improved to 14-10-3.