:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27945669/bc_nd_dewkett_021.0.jpg)
BOSTON -- Jerry York has guides the Eagles to seven Beanpot championships as head coach at his alma mater since taking over in 1994.
For a coach and a program so accustomed to success, the Eagles still have the burning desire to improve and put checkmarks next to another accomplishment.
Boston College will need no extra motivation on Monday night as it looks to begin 'Trophy Season' with a Beanpot title, and if that wasn't enough, it faces archrival Boston University in the opening round.
Boston College, ranked second nationally in the Pairwise Rankings and running away with the Hockey East regular season race, is the heavy favorite to win college hockey bragging rights in the city of Boston.
BC has already defeated BU twice this season, 5-1 and 6-4. Junior Johnny Gaudreau is the leading scorer in the nation and hasn't been held scoreless in 21 straight games. His line with seniors Kevin Hayes and Bill Arnold is one of the best in several years.
Beanpot Coverage
Beanpot Coverage
BU, under the direction of first year head coach David Quinn, has struggled this season due to a lack of depth and an injury-depleted lineup. Although the Terriers will be overwhelming underdogs there is talent in scarlet and white that could give the Eagles a scare.
Players like Danny O'Regan, Cason Hohmann, Evan Rodrigues, Nick Roberto and Robbie Baillargeon are all solid offensive players.
The BU blue line will be missing Charlestown native and Boston Bruins draft pick Matt Grzelcyk, but two offensive minded defensemen, Garrett Noonan and Ahti Oksanen, will look to start scoring from the back end.
Both coaches have already announced their starting goaltenders. Matt O'Connor will get the nod in net for the Terriers while the Eagles will counter with sensational freshman Thatcher Demko.
Boston University holds a 129-118-17 advantage overall in the all-time series between the two clubs. BU is also 27-14 against BC in the Beanpot, but the Eagles have won the last four meetings between the Commonwealth Ave. rivals. The teams last met in the 2012 Beanpot final, won by the Eagles in overtime on a tally by Bill Arnold.
With all that said, and it's cliche, but throw the records out the window when these two teams get together. Several BU teams with little business to win have crushed the Eagles' hopes in the past. Can it happen again this year in the 62nd annual Beanpot?
Puck drop will occur about 50 minutes after the conclusion of the first semifinal between Harvard and Northeastern. Both games from the TD Garden can be seen all across the world on New England Sports Network (NESN).
Jeff Cox covers college, junior and high school hockey, NCAA recruiting and NHL Draft prospects for SBNation. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.