Boston College hammers Northeastern

BOSTON – Steven Whitney had two short-handed goals in the second period and Johnny Gaudreau also scored twice to lift Boston College to a 7-1 victory against Northeastern in the 60th Beanpot tournament on Monday.

The Eagles (17-10-1) will face top-ranked Boston University, a 3-1 winner against Harvard, next Monday night to decide the annual showdown between the area’s four college hockey powers.

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.

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.

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.