The annual Beanpot tournament concluded on Monday, February 12. Northeastern University ended a 30-year drought with an impressive 5-2 win against Boston University.

The tournament began in December of 1952, where it started as a tournament to decide which college or university would control Boston bragging rights for that year. It’s a four-team tournament, made up of Boston College, Northeastern, BU, and Harvard University. The tournament allowed Boston natives and locals to watch the hometown schools battle it out on a larger scene, since they play at the now Boston Garden, home of the Boston Bruins.

BU claims bragging rights in the tournament, having a respectful 30 titles. Following this, BC holds 20 titles, Harvard has 11, and after this year’s tournament Northeastern has five titles.

The Beanpot is every Boston-area youth hockey player’s dream. They would be playing street hockey wearing jerseys for one of the four college’s jerseys, picturing themselves scoring the game winning goal in overtime.

Billy Smith ’18, can relate; a varsity hockey player, Billy lives in Hyde Park, about 15 minutes from the heart of Boston.

“The Beanpot was every kid’s dream, “said Billy.” Playing hockey was all kids at a young age really focused on, so you can’t blame them for wanting to play in the biggest venue for colleges in Boston. It’s just an awesome idea for a tournament, and that’s why it’s so successful. I think watching kids that I grew up playing against in the tournament is crazy, I remember playing on youth teams with them and now they’re playing for their dream school.”

Billy’s father was present during the Beanpot of 1978. The winter of ’78 was well known around New England as the snowiest winter of all time. It just so happened that the Beanpot took place in the middle of the largest nor’easter to ever hit Boston, known as the “Blizzard of ’78.” With a record breaking 27.1 inches of snow, many people were not able to reach their cars after the Beanpot was finished.

Instead of going home, many spectators ended up going to the bars around the arena, and in the end about 100 people slept in the Garden that night. Billy’s dad was one of the hundred who stayed in the Garden, a memory that he will always remember.

Cam Jefferson ’18, is another Boston-area native, living in Belmont, which is about 15 minutes from the Garden.

“Growing up I had always dreamed of playing in the Beanpot for Boston College,” said Cam, a varsity hockey player. “I went every year, it was something me and my dad both loved watching. Some of my best hockey memories were watching the Beanpot, and even if you don’t play in it, it’s a great atmosphere that is awesome to be a part of.”

There is also a women’s rendition of the Beanpot, played by the women’s teams of the same colleges.

Kate Holmes ’19 is a Northeastern hockey commit, and looks forward to playing in the historic tournament after she leaves Williston.

“When I committed to Northeastern I was so excited, I realized I would be playing in the Beanpot,” Kate said. “Living near Boston made it that much better. It will be a great experience, and I cannot wait to step on the ice for the first one.”

This 38-year tradition, the women’s competition, is pretty surreal, too. Currently Northeastern boasts bragging rights in the tournament, having 16 titles, while Harvard is in second with 14 titles. The tournament is the two weeks following the men’s Beanpot, and the final is hosted by Northeastern, at their rink, Matthews Arena.