Harvard's varsity skaters tasted their sweetest victory of the season last night in Boston Garden as they edged rival Boston University, 5-4, in the closing minutes of the Beanpot finals to collect their first Beanpot Hockey Championship since 1969.

Junior Randy Roth beat All-American Terrier goalie Ed Walsh with 2:37 remaining in the contest to break a 4-4 tie and lift Harvard to victory. Roth, who earned MVP honors for the tournament, scored on a high shot from the left faceoff circle area, assisted by senior defenseman Levy Byrd.

The Terriers took an early lead when sophomore Terry Meagher scored on a backhand shot from the right side of the crease 59 seconds into the opening period. Winger Bill Bishop lengthened B.U.'s lead at 4:28, flipping the puck past Crimson netminder Jim Murray from five feet out.

Kevin Carr notched Harvard's first goal on a power play at 12:26, cutting B.U.'s lead to 2-1. Defenseman Dave Hands and junior Steve Dagdigian set up the scoring play as Carr slipped his own rebound by Walsh.

Meagher collected his second tally of the night at 4:38 of the middle stanza, putting B.U. ahead, 2-1, but the Crimson came back at 7:42 when center Leigh Hogan tipped in a perfect pass from linemate Jim Thomas.

Harvard tied the game during a power play at 11:00 as Jim McMahon scored from the center slot in front of the crease after taking a pass from Thomas on the left point.

The Crimson took the lead for the first time when Roth tipped in a shorthanded goal at 17:52, assisted by co-captain Bob Goodenow. Harvard outshot the Terriers, 14-3, in the second period and entered the final stanza holding a 4-3 lead.

Harvard, with Murray's excellent goal-tending, protected its narrow lead for 15 minutes in the third period, but at 15:16 Terrier defenseman Vic Stanfield slipped the puck in from the right side of the crease to tie the game at 4-4.

Roth scored the game-winner two minutes later, and Murray thwarted B.U.'s final efforts, as Terrier coach Jack Parker pulled Walsh with 33 seconds left to play.

Walsh had the best save percentage among the goalies in the tournament, as he stopped 30 shots in last night's contest. He only allowed one score in B.U.'s opening round confrontation with Northeastern.

Murray, who gave a clutch performance throughout the evening, was forced to prevent only 19 Terrier shots from entering the net. The Harvard defense got rolling after the first period and was able to help protect Murray and hold off B.U. for the narrow, but sweet, victory.