BOSTON--A funny thing happened along the road to Bill Cleary's 300th career victory. Harvard won the Beanpot.

For Cleary, in his 18th year as Crimson hockey coach, number 300 could not have come at a better time. Harvard had not won a Beanpot since 1981.

Harvard won a shootout with Boston University last night in Boston Garden, 9-6.

"To see the smiles on those kids' faces--it's worth the wait," Cleary said. "Just to see those kids experiencing a Beanpot win--a lot of good players, a lot of good teams, have not done that."

Cleary grew up here, went to high school at nearby Belmont Hill and starred at Harvard. In the 1955 Beanpot, he scored seven goals, capturing the tournament MVP Award.

For Cleary, the Beanpot is a special event. A favorite ride in the amusement park.

As a coach, he has not had great success in the 'Pot. His record is a middling 16-20.

Last night he saw his team jump to a 3-0 first period lead but fall behind, 4-3, in the middle of the second period. Harvard roared back. And when it was over, Cleary roared.

"The event is a lot bigger now than when I played," Cleary said. "Only cousins and aunts and brothers attended in those years. But now the place is packed. It is an event. A great event."

And his 300th career victory? Cleary could not have cared less if last night's triumph were his first. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Cleary stood on the bench waving his arms. When the gun sounded, he joined his players in raucous celebration.

Eight years later, Cleary was holding the 'Pot again.

"If I win 200, 300, 400 games--I don't care," Cleary said. "I enjoy working with these kids. I'm just glad they got a chance to win this thing."

And the kids were glad to win it.

"It almost feels like it isn't over," senior Paul Howley said. "It's going to take a while to sink in."

"It's long overdue," junior Ed Krayer said. "It feels great. It's nice to beat the locals. We always have great seasons, but we never beat B.U., B.C. or Northeastern."