BU men’s hockey dominates Harvard in Beanpot semifinal, 7-1

BOSTON — Devin Kaplan is a self-proclaimed “passionate kid.” He’s been watching the Beanpot and Boston University men’s hockey for as long as he can remember. He did not take the opportunity to play at TD Garden for granted.

“These games really mean something to me,” the junior forward said postgame.

Kaplan, an alternate captain, scored twice for the No. 8 Terriers (15-9-1, 10-5-1 Hockey East) in their 7-1 win over Harvard (7-12-2, 6-7-2 ECAC) in the Beanpot semifinal Monday at TD Garden.

“When we get to this stage, it’s pretty special,” Kaplan said.

“I thought we started a little sloppy,” head coach Jay Pandolfo said postgame. “But we got a late goal by Kappy. I think that got us going.”

That was just it. After junior forward Casey Severo’s power play goal gave the Crimson a 1-0 lead 5:44 into regulation, Kaplan’s tally at 15:47 of the first period completely turned the tide for the Terriers. Once the puck went in once, BU did not look back.

From behind the Harvard goal line, senior forward Jack Hughes backhanded a pass to Kaplan, who, in front of the net, buried his sixth of the season past freshman Ben Charette.

After knotting the game, BU stepped on the gas and dismantled Harvard over the final 40 minutes. The Terriers outshot Harvard, 38-27.

Sophomore co-captain Shane Lachance scored a power play goal of his own at 3:25 of the second period. He gathered a pass from junior forward Quinn Hutson and finished with a between-the-legs tally from in front of Charette.

“It’s not an easy play to make under pressure,” Pandolfo said. “So yeah, it was impressive.”

BU extended its lead to 3-1 at 5:59 of the second. Cole Hutson used a nifty move to beat a Harvard defenseman around the right face-off dot. Hutson’s shot trickled by Charette for his sixth goal of the season. Hutson had a game-high four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in the win.

“When he gets wheeling in the offensive zone, he’s hard to contain,” Pandolfo said.

Sophomore forward Jack Harvey’s seventh goal of the year made it 4-1. With a full head of steam, Harvey picked up at the offensive zone blue line, cut inside with a toe drag, and found the top right corner of the Crimson net.

Kaplan’s second tally of the game furthered BU’s lead at 18:47 of the second. Hughes zipped a cross-ice pass to Kaplan, who rifled a wrister past Charette for his seventh of the season. Both Kaplan and Hughes were excellent for the Terriers on Monday as a tandem. Hughes assisted both of Kaplan’s goals.

“It’s just communication, talking on the bench,” Kaplan said. “Whenever we can just be on the page and then just moving our feet, that’s when we’re at our best.”

Quinn Hutson’s team-leading 16th goal of the season at 19:49 gave the Terriers their fifth tally of the middle frame. BU had more goals than Harvard had shots on goal in the second.

“I thought it was a really strong effort from us,” Pandolfo said. “To have a chance to win this tournament, you got to take care of business on the first night, and we did that.”

Charette was replaced by junior Aku Koskenvuo for the third period. Freshman Mikhail Yegorov started for the third straight game for BU and was excellent once again, making 26 saves.

“He was calm, he was composed,” Pandolfo said. “He’s not from around here, so I don’t think he gets caught up in the moment, I think he enjoys it.”

Cole Hutson’s second goal of the game at 14:52 of the third period was but an exclamation mark for BU. The power play goal awarded him the opportunity to accomplish something his older brother Lane didn’t — win the Beanpot.

“Hopefully we can get it done,” he said. “So I can hold it over his head.”