For BU, this season marked their 25th appearance.
In the end though, on Saturday night in St. Louis, Western Michigan toppled Boston University 6 to 2.
On campus in Boston, the mood was tense throughout the game. Dozens of students, clad in red jerseys, red overalls, and chain necklaces gathered in an underground dining hall for a watch party.
The anxiety was palpable as fans hoped for a Terriers comeback.
“I feel like I’m gonna have a heart attack, but in the best way possible, yet the worst,” said sophomore Yaridia Treviño, during the third period, watching as the Terriers trailed by one goal. Then two.
“It’s been a little bit messy with the puck,” said Amy August, a sophomore.
But spirits in the room were “still high,” said first-year student Jackson Baker, believing the comeback was moments away. “We all bounce back really quick.”
At nearby Cornwall’s Tavern in Kenmore Square, the crowd erupted as BU appeared to get a goal with less than 10 minutes to go in the third period. Then everyone groaned when the goal was called back.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said senior Aaron Wong, seated at the bar with a Narragansett beer and BU baseball cap. “But, you know … We’re still in it.”
But when Western Michigan tucked another goal in with less than five minutes to go in the game, the mood in the bar deflated.
An empty net goal sealed the Terriers fate.
The students at the bar exchanged sullen looks as the seconds ticked away.
And cruel reality set in.
Again.
Boston University had made it to the Frozen Four the past three seasons only to come up painfully short of the grand prize once more.
“We’ll get it next year,” several students repeated to themselves as they filed out of the watch party at the dining hall.
“Next year is our year,” echoed Boston City Councilor Sharon Durkan, who was at Cornwall’s. Though not a BU alum, she wore a Terriers sweatshirt to the bar and said she’s been swept up by the hockey vibes in Allston.
“When you enter Agganis, it’s this electric feeling,” she said.
Michael Dowding, a communication professor and BU alum took a reasoned approach to the loss. “When you get to this level, it’s a bit of a crapshoot,” said Dowding, who showed up at Cornwall’s in his red cap and jersey. “Who’s having the good night, who’s on top of their game. And unfortunately, tonight, it wasn’t us.”
He stared stony faced at the TV as Western Michigan players hoisted the championship trophy, but found a silver lining.
“I don’t think many people had them [BU] winning the national championship to start the season,” he said. “But they got to the very end. It just didn’t quite happen.”
On campus, Sophomore Evan Kurtz also found plenty of positives as he watched the championship game.
“Really big shout out to the band,” said Kurtz, who donned a red wig and red overalls. “It’s always great at the end of the game, if we win, the band plays ‘Hey baby,’ and everyone sings along and does the clapping. It’s a great time.”
But in St. Louis, as well as on campus and the neighborhood bars, there would be no “Hey Baby” on this Saturday night.
Camilo Fonseca can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @fonseca_esq and on Instagram @camilo_fonseca.reports. Jason Margolis can be reached at [email protected].
