It took Northeastern 28 years to win its first Beanpot tournament back in 1980. Will 23 be the lucky number in 2011?
The Huskies took a big step toward ending another epic drought last night, beating Harvard 4-0 in the semifinals at the Garden for another chance at their first Beanpot championship since 1988.
The Huskies will face either top-ranked Boston College or 14th-ranked Boston University in next Monday’s final.
Northeastern (9-11-6) is in the Beanpot final for just the 14th time in the 59-year history of the tournament, but the sixth in the past 15 seasons and second in the past three. BU defeated the Huskies 5-2 in the 2009 final.
The Huskies have not won since former Bruins defenseman Fern Flaman coached them to their only four titles between 1980 and ’88.
“Don’t kill me now, but I liked the Yankees because they’d always win and the Red Sox would always lose,” Northeastern coach Greg Cronin said. “I think we have a little of that mentality as well.
“‘When are they going to win this damn thing?’ They get sick of it, and I don’t blame them.”
The Huskies played like a perennial champion last night by dominating Harvard (4-18-0). Junior Mike McLaughlin scored twice and sophomore goalie Chris Rawlings made 41 saves for his fifth shutout.
