Harvard played one of its slowest and sloppiest hockey games of the season last night, and was rewarded with a 3-1 loss to Northeastern in the consolation game of the Beanpot Tournament at Boston Garden.

Boston College won the Beanpot crown for the eighth time and the third straight year by edging Boston University 5-4. The feature game was as exciting and well-played as a championship play-off between the best two teams in the East should be.

In losing last night, the Crimson failed to win at least one of its Beanpot games for the first time in the 13-year history of the tournament. Because of its poor pass work and lack of hustle, the Crimson couldn't sustain a consistent attack until the Huskies had built a three-goal lead.

Only some great stops by Crimson goalie Bill-Fitzsimmons who wound up with 43 saves for the night, kept the first half of the game scoreless. But then Northeastern scored three times before Dennis McCullough got Harvard's only goal in the middle of the last period.

The consolation game got off to a slow start, but midway through the first period Northeastern began to put on the pressure. Fitzsimmons had to make 17 saves, several of them beauties on shots from scrambles right in front of him, to keep the period scoreless.

The Huskies' strong second period attack resulted in their first two goals. Paul Bloh scored first on Larry Bone's rebound at 15:25, with Fitzsimmons out of position.

Jim Leu made it 2-0 at 19:04 on a shot to his far corner that went in off the post. Aldie Harrington had Harvard's best scoring chance on a breakaway, but shot right into the Northeastern goalie.

Bill O'Connell put Northeastern out of reach at 1:05 of the final period on the prettiest goal of the night, by slapping in Bill Seabury's centering pass from the sideboards.

McCullough deflected in Baldy Smith's centering pass at 12:32, with Harrington also assisting, to put Harvard on the scoreboard. But it was too late.

B.C. had to overcome a two goal B.U. lead to win the championship. The Eagles gained a 3-3 tie by the end of two periods, went ahead 5-3 midway through the third, and just hung on to win as the Terriers pulled their goalie in the last minute after drawing up to a 5-4 deficit.

B.C. left-wing John Cunniff deservedly was awarded the most valuable player award, on the basis of his two beautiful goals and one assist last night. Bob Kupka, Jim Mullen, and John Moylan scored the other Eagle goals.

For the Terriers, Dennis O'Connell scored twice, and Bob Martell and Mike Sobeski once apiece. Tom Ross and Fred Bassi were also outstanding, each with two pretty assists.