General Game Notes From Day 1: Game #1 -Northeastern dogged a bullet needing overtime to upend Harvard in the first semi-final game of the Beanpot. The Huskies scored the winner less than a minute into the extra 3v3 session as Gunnarwolfe Fontaine was the hero on a cross-slot feed from Justin Hryckowian. Hryckowian also assisted on the 1st goal and scored the tying goal midway through the 3rd period. Goalie Cam Whitehead stood tall in the net for the win. Game #2 – BU forward Macklin Celebrini took center stage on the big stage of the Beanpot as he opened the scoring in the 1st period on a well-placed shot off the rush and then added a power-play goal a rocket 1-timer from the circle. Luke Tuch added a goal and assist in the game as the Terriers held off a late-period rally from the Eagles to secure the 4-3 victory.
Game Grade: A
Comments: In previous viewings throughout the last three seasons, Celebrini has always earned an ‘A’ grade. No matter if at Shattuck, with Chicago (USHL), and now with BU, he always succeeds. He was involved early and often influenced the game positively. He logged lots of minutes throughout the game and in all situations. The beauty of Celebrini he does not even play with wingers – ‘Helicopter Line’. He made a nice, deceptive play scoring the 1st goal in the 1st period by holding the puck as he entered the offensive zone, selling a pass, yet released a quick and well-placed shot just over the goalie’s right pad. He then scored on the power play later in the 1st period on an NHL caliber 1-timer, high over the glove on the short side. Remarkably, he drew the penalty after being hit from behind along the boards just before scoring. In the 2nd period, after entering the offensive zone there was a turnover, yet amazingly he read the play and was back on the puck carrier by the defensive zone blue line to break the play up. Late in the game, he made a crafty, little pass on his backhand off the wall to spring #11 Tuch in all alone down the slot when the Terriers barely held a 1-goal lead. If one had to nitpick a play, he kind of made a blind breakout pass in the 1st period, although luckily no turnover resulted, but he is human and just 17 years old. Celebrini excels in all aspects of the game with skating, shooting, passing, puck skills, competitive nature, and has intelligence and awareness with and without the puck. Whatever NHL team picks in the upcoming draft, they are receiving a gamer.
Game Grade: B
Comments: Healey has started to show his promise this season, even on a down year for Harvard. He showed poise with the puck from the back end and on the power play, running the man-advantage from the top and on the breakout. He made good puck decisions and vision as he found sticks and net from the point. He made a slippery move in the 2nd period to draw a penalty shot, although the move was weak/average. He could be a good one with more added strength and defensive commitment. For example, on the overtime goal, he got caught puck-watching as he drifted away from the man-to-man zone. Also the 1st goal against in 1st period, he was outside the dots and unaware of giving the open ice to slot for the opponent on his forehand. Regardless, there’s potential here for pro ranks certainly offensively. The Wild prospect will be even better with well rounded game for the pro levels.
Game Grade: B
Comments: Miller is a smaller forward with some go and offensive ways. He creates offense with his hands and feet with good skating ability, quickness, and the ability to dart into open ice. Also, he possesses good puck skills. He plays smart, sneaky hockey. He did not hit the scoresheet on the night, though he is dangerous offensively in a flash.
Game Grade: B
Comments: As a freshman, MacDonald showed his game at Cornell in the fall. He displayed some good offensive thoughts and skills. Also has some size and strength to win puck battles below the dots, and drive the puck to the net. He is a player who should continue to develop over the next couple of seasons in the NCAA. MacDonald is a Seattle Kraken prospect.
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Whitehead just might end up being better than Devon Levi, plus he has the size. The freshman thrived in reading plays and making the initial save while controlling rebounds. He battles and competes. He appeared to always be confident in the crease, a calm presence in the crease as well. He played #9 Healey well on the penalty shot in the 2nd period with positioning and reading his move. Also for his size, he brings athletic ways. There is a promising upside to the Vegas Golden Knights draft pick.
Game Grade: B
Comments: Lund has some good gears in his skating as he can be hard to defend through the neutral zone and drives the puck in the offensive zone. He also possesses a good shot release in stride. The beauty is that he has some size and strength as well. His defensive game is improving too. Think he lacks consistency in offense as can go quiet in spurts. Lund started to blossom at Green Bay (USHL) with his offensive instincts and shot, as he was selected by the San Jose Sharks 2022 NHL Draft.
Game Grade: B
Comments: Williams’ best asset is his shot. While he is undersized a bit, yet does not back down from physical play. He, like teammate and defenseman Borgesi, has raised his game to another level this season, hence the NHL free-agent attraction. Offensively he was quiet in spurts. He showed his release from off-side late 2nd period hitting the post and early in 3rd period on the power play with a 1-timer, which the goalie made a good glove save. His skating is decent with balance and strength, although he lacks quickness. He puts in the right spots around the ice to receive the puck. He also makes good reads and can create turnovers. His game has been more confident and more opportunities this season, thus production. He is a well-rounded player
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Borgesi is a smaller, very mobile, good puck-handling, right-shot defenseman. He has taken another step in his game in his sophomore season. He always impressed in his younger years with his skating, passing ability, and an offensive mind, yet bit of an adjustment last season to the NCAA ranks. There were a few shifts whereby he used his feet in the offensive zone to create scoring chances. He was active from the point. He made the play on the tying goal in the 3rd period as used his feet and created an open shooting lane from the circle that created the #29 Hryckowian goal. Borgesi is a very good puck mover who made good puck decisions from the backend.
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Hryckowian thrives on his hockey IQ, anticipation, and his quick hands and feet. He showed his smarts and vision on all three of Northeastern’s goals. On the 1st goal, he drove the lane in the offensive zone after making the initial pass in the neutral zone to create open ice for #27 Campbell. Then he smartly picked up the rebound on the crease on the tying goal on #22 Borgesi’s shot with a quick backhand finish. On the overtime winner, he smartly weaved with #11 Fontaine on the offensive zone entry and then made the pass back across the slot on the goal. He played a solid, smart, 2-way game with support in the defensive zone as well as being on the right side of the puck. Unfortunately, he is not the biggest size-wise. He will garner NHL free agent attention.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images