Beanpot Championship Preview: Who Takes The Title?

The history between Boston University and Northeastern University may make it appear as though the 2025 Beanpot Championship on Tuesday is rather lopsided, with Northeastern going 18-5-4 versus Boston University in the 44 years of Beanpot Games. That, alongside regular season success this year makes it difficult to imagine a scenario in which Northeastern doesn’t end up with the 3-peat. But before Northeastern is proactively declared the winner, let’s look to see whether history repeats itself or whether BU can break Northeastern's winning streak.

By The Numbers

In almost every statistical category, it’s a virtual tie. Goals per game, goals vs shots, shots per game, power plays, making it difficult to easily determine a winner. So one must dig deeper to break this tie. Shooting percentage (.090 versus .076) favours Boston, though this win by Boston is negated by the fact that Northeastern has more saves (533) to Boston (438). Boston has scored three shorthanded goals on the season while allowing zero from their opponents, contrasted to Northeastern who have scored only one shorthanded goal while allowing two. Northeastern is also the more penalized of the two teams, with 81 total penalties to Boston’s 76. This, along with Boston’s edge in the faceoff dot (56% to 52%), we have a winner.

The Verdict: Boston

Forward Group

Northeastern is led offensively by two names, Skylar Irving and Taze Thompson, who have a combined 33 points on the season and have the ability to take over a game at any moment. Beyond those names, the rest of the forward group have amassed 71 points for a combined total of 104. Looking at the Boston forward group, they’re led by Lola Reid and Christina Vote, who have 26 points combined. The rest of the forwards have scored 80 points, for a total of 106. While Northeastern benefits from having the high end offensive threats, Boston benefits from a balanced scoring approach.

The Verdict: Tie

Defence Corps

Boston holds eight defenders on their team, led offensively by towering defender Julia Shaunessy, to Northeastern’s seven (although the latter have their own towering defender in Tristan Thompson). Of those eight defenders with Boston, the average height is approximately 5’7” and they’ve amassed 43 points. Compare that to Northeastern, who also averages approximately 5’7” but only 30 points. The difference comes down to blocked shots: 112 for Boston to 153 for Northeastern. While there is more scoring from the backend on Boston’s squad, it’ll be difficult for them to score as a result of Northeastern’s focus on blocked shots.

The Verdict: Northeastern

Goaltending

This is the first category in which there is a clear winner and it’s Northeastern, who boast a solid 1-2 punch of Paige Taborski and Lisa Jönsson. This tandem averages 1.51 GAA and a .940 SV%, which gives them a significant edge over Boston, who’s tandem of Callie Shanahan and Mari Pietersen have a combined 2.28 GAA and a .890 SV%. Another difference is usage, as Northeastern has played both fairly equally (9 games and 13 games respectively), while Boston has relied heavily upon Shanahan (19 and 5 games respectively). The firepower of Irving and Thompson could prove to be too much for this duo.

Result: Northeastern

Based on the information provided, it’s safe to say that this edition of the Beanpot Championship should be a very close and entertaining affair. And although Boston put up a valiant effort, it is clear beyond just history that Northeastern will capture the Championship for a third year in a row.