Hidden Gem: Beanpot Classic

Tonight is the start of a 2 day tournament (first two Monday's in February) for the biggest college hockey crown in Boston.  BC, BU, Harvard and Northeastern compete for the coveted Beanpot trophy and a chance at bragging rights for a year.

For those outside of Boston, this may seem like another 4 team tournament.  However, to those in Boston, this means as much as a National Championship.  4 teams, many of the kids had played against eachother growing up, fighting for a chance at being called Boston's best for an entire year.  In the words of ESPN "You'll never see athletes competing this hard for a beanpot anywhere else."

This game brings all schools together, the whole city of Boston, for two nights.  Fans from BC, BU Harvard and Northeastern fill up the entire stadium in hopes that their team can win the crown and claim the title.  The atmosphere is wild, the games are well played and the bars are always packed.  Here's Sports Bound's Guide to the Beanpot Classic.

There are two games today.  BC takes on Harvard at 5:00 in the opening match, and the nightcap holds reining champion BU against last years runner-up, Northeastern.  If you are a BC or a Harvard fan, I'd head over to the Garden area around 3:30 to experience the pregame festivities.  However, if your a BU or a Norhteastern fan.  No need to rush.  Arrive at 5 and watch the first game from the loads of bars and restaurants around, enjoy the atmosphere before you go cheer on your team.  Before the game, bar hop at some of the most popular bars in Boston, called “Bars on steroids.”  Start off at Boston Beer Works, a two story facility that is the oldest and largest brewery and restaurant in the Boston Area.  Shoot some pool, play some darts and try one of 50 different Beers, Ales and Lagers.  If that is too small for you, head over to The Greatest Bar.  Part sports bar part night club the Greatest Bar features a lot of big screens (including a 14 inch projector screen), plus DJ’s and live music.  On game nights, the Greatest Bar plays a 90 minute video highlighting the greatest moments in Bruins history, good way to get the people pumped up!  Another great spot is Hurricane O’Reillys.  This bar is popular not just on game days but other nights, specifically for young to mid 20’s Boston residents.  Enjoy these bars before and after the game, and get ready to be back next week!