In a rollercoaster ride of a game, Boston University overcame an early Northeastern onslaught to defeat the Huskies, 8-5, before a capacity crowd of 14,451 at Boston Garden.

The opening-round win avenged Terrier losses to the Huskies in the previous two Beanpot finals.

"The last couple of years we were playing not to lose," B.U. Coach Jack Parker said. "We gagged it up, to be honest. We were the underdog tonight."

What looked like a possible blowout after one period, when Northeastern led, 3-1, turned into no contest as the Terriers took control of the game over the last two stanzas, outscoring the Huskies, 7-2.

"We didn't give ourselves a chance to play in our end," Parker added. "Once we did that, we played well."

Northeastern (17-11-1) ran out of gas after the first period. Boston University (16-11-1), which last won the 'Pot in 1982, jumped all over the Huntington Avenue Hounds with a four-goal second-period outburst.

The Huskies pounced on the Terriers early, however, capitalizing on their first power play opportunity. Rod Isbister swept through the slot, snapping the puck past B.U. goalie Terry Taillefer on a nice feed from David O'Brien.

But while Northeastern was able to cash in on almost all of its scoring chances in the physical first period, B.U. could light the candle only once.

Terriers, 8-5 at Boston Garden Northeastern  3  1  1  --  5 Boston University  1  4  3  --  8

First Period--1, N, Rod Isbister 19 (David O'Brien) 4:14; 2, N, Isbister 20 (O'Brien, Greg Pratt) 14:56; 3, B, Jeff Sveen 6 (Scott Sanders, David Quinn) 15:14; 4, N, Dave Buda 3 (Scott Marshall) 18:10. Penalties--Jim Ennis, B, (boarding) 2:31; Joe Maclnnis, N, (hooking) 4:38; Jay Octeau, B, (hooking) 5:19; Gerry Kiley, N, (hooking) 8:14.

Second Period--5, B, John Cullen 18 (Ed Lowney, Clark Donatelli) 4:48; 6, B, Paul Gerlitz 3 (Marshall, Chris Matchett) 10:50; 7, B, Sveen 7 (Sanders, Eric Labrosse) 12:11; 8, B, Cullen 19 (Lowney, Octeau) 17:03; 9, N, Jay Heinbuck 25 (Claude Lodin) 17:53. Penalties--Brian Dowd, N, (hooking) 3:41; Gerlitz, B, (high sticking) 14:43.

Third Period--10, B, Sanders 10 (Ennis) 6:42; 11, B, Marshall 9 (Matchett) 8:29; 12, B, Donatelli 20 (Cullen, Lowney) 11:06; 13, N, Pratt 12 (Bill Whitfield, Greg Neary) 19:07. Penalties--Gerlitz, B, (high sticking) 1:15; Quinn, B, (interference) 12:42; Scott Shaunessy, B, (hooking) 14:01; Martin Raus, N, (holding) 15:22; Quinn, B, (tripping) 16:05.

Saves--N, Bruce Racine 5-7-13--25; B. Terry Taillefer 6-3-6--15.