College hockey bettors will be back at Massachusetts sportsbooks Monday night with the consolation and championship games of the 70th annual Beanpot Tournament at TD Garden in Boston.
Boston University (20-7) will take on Boston College (9-12-6) in the consolation game at 5 p.m.
The Terriers have won seven of their last eight games. The E-A-G-L-E-S have posted a rather uninspiring 0-6-2 record in their last eight games.
A Sunday afternoon check at WynnBET Massachusetts Sportsbook, which is live with retail at Encore Boston Harbor Casino in Everett, has Boston University as a -280 moneyline and -1.5 goals (-115). Boston College is a +250 moneyline underdog with and over/under goals for the game at 6.5.
In the nightcap, Harvard (17-6-1), ranked No. 10 nationally, returns to the championship game for the first time since 2017. The Crimson will face No. 17 Northeastern (14-10-4) in the championship at 7:30 p.m. Both games will be televised on NESN.
This is the first time in the 70-year history of the Beanpot that these schools will match up in the championship.
“It was really fun putting the Beanpot up,” said Caden Wickwire, a junior trader at WynnBet. “I was honestly surprised at the amount of handle we had on the tournament future. We received good action on all four teams, but Northeastern seemed to be the team getting most of the attention at +400.
“Completely understandable, considering they have arguably the best goalie in the country (Devon Levi) and had previously beaten the tournament favorite in Boston University. That said, the individual game result of the Northeastern upset over the Terriers was beneficial for us, as bettors expected the red-hot No. 3 team in the country to move on to compete for their 32nd Beanpot Championship.”
In addition to WynnBet at Encore Boston Harbor, there also is a BetMGM Massachusetts Sportsbook at MGM Springfield and a Barstool Sportsbook at Plainridge Park Casino.
Looking Back at Opening Round
Harvard, which is looking for its 12th Beanpot title (11-15 overall), earned a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over Boston College in the semifinals last Monday as freshman Marek Hejduk scored the game-winner with 1.5 seconds left to advance.
Northeastern upended No. 3 Boston University, 3-1, holding the Terriers off the scoreboard for 58 minutes. Aidan McDonough, Jakov Novak and Hunter McDonald each scored a goal for the Huskies.
“The Boston College vs. Harvard game got a little sweaty for us,” WynnBET’s Wickwire said. “We opened BC at +850 to win the tournament and plenty of bettors found that big price attractive. Worst-case scenario would've been a Northeastern vs. Boston College championship. Thankfully, Matt Coronato and the Crimson outlasted the Eagles in overtime.
“Harvard to hoist the Beanpot is the best-case scenario for our room and that is who we will be rooting for on Monday night.”
At WynnBET, Harvard is a slight -120 moneyline and -1.5 goals (+195) favorite with Northeastern a +110 moneyline and +1.5 goal (-235) underdog with the over/under total at 5.5.
Online Betting Only Weeks Away
For now, the three retail sportsbooks are the only way to wager in Massachusetts. So, any bets on the Beanpot will have to take place there.
However, the dawn of Massachusetts betting apps is near, with online and mobile betting launching in the state on Friday, March 10.
That will allow bettors to place bets on college basketball conference tournaments that weekend and in March Madness to follow.
BetMassachusetts.com will be your source for stories and information on sports betting in the Bay State as well as for Massachusetts betting promos.
