In what is becoming a rather routine event this season, Nathan Gerbe again propelled BC past BU on Monday night, this time in the first round of the 56th annual Beanpot. Gerbe would net both the game tying and game winning goals for the Eagles, who remain undefeated against BU on the season (3-0-1); and return to the championship game for the 5th time in six years.
Gerbe's latest "hobey moment" came at 7:15 of the first overtime when he took a brilliant no look pass from freshman Brian Gibbons and deposited it behind BU goaltender, Brett Bennett, for his 21st goal of the year. This marked the first time since 1981 that the Eagles defeated the Terriers in a Beanpot Semifinal.
Gerbe's epic goal set off a euphoric celebration (seen below).
"I've always wanted to do that since I was a little kid - a headfirst slide," said Gerbe, "Watching on TV, you always see everyone in the playoffs do that with OT goals. I thought it would be fun. It was the first dive in my career."
After falling behind 1-0 and 3-2, BC rallied for overtime early in the third period on a Gerbe powerplay goal at the 1:02 mark, with Colin Wilson in the box, serving a delay of game penalty for Brett Bennett.
BC continued to take it to the Terriers; and Andrew Orpik scored the apparent game winner at 5:19 of the third, only to see the goal waved off after video review confirmed that Brian Gibbons was in the crease. Gibbons (pictured below) was checked hard by Dan McGoff into netminder Brett Bennet, but referees ruled that Gibbons had voluntarily skated into the crease prior to making contact with the BU defenseman.
The Eagles weathered the storm of the annual goal waived off in the Beanpot, and forced overtime for the second year in a row. This time Gerbe made sure the result was different.
The Eagles have now won seven of their last 10 against BU.
