The first annual Beanpot tournament began forty years ago at the Boston Arena, featuring Boston College, Boston University, Harvard and Northeastern. The tournament skipped a year in 1953, but has been held every year since then, growing in popularity to become one of the most well-attended and most prestigious collegiate hockey tournaments in the nation.

Harvard captured the first `Pot with a 7-4 thrashing of Boston University on December 28, 1952. Since then, the Crimson has captured eight more Beanpots. Here's a look back at each of those victories.

1955

Behind the prolific forward Bill Cleary, Harvard pummeled Northeastern 12-3 in the opening round. Cleary tallied five goals and two assists to send Harvard into the final round against a steady BC squad.

Unfortunately for the Crimson, its thrashing of Northeastern left the team physically exhausted. In the closing session with Harvard up 4-2, the Crimson players could only drag themselves around the rink and managed only six shots on goal.

Meanwhile, the Eagles battled back behind Captain Dick Dempsey, knotting the score at four.

Cleary, however, saved his weary team. With the Crimson a man down, Cleary went coast-to-coast to slip a shot by BC goalie Chick D'Entremont at 1:46 of the overtime session.

Cleary's heroics proved pivotal. The victory over BC earned Harvard its first-ever bid to the NCAA post-season tournament.

1960

Bob Bland may not be the greatest goalie east of the Mississippi, but the 8000 fans who watched the Crimson pick the Beanpot title from BU's pocket at the Boston Garden in the final round that night must believe he is.

His 24 saves did not make a record, but many were made on solo breaks or vicious thrusts by BU All-American Bob Marquis, and he held off the swarming Terriers with 11 third period saves while his teammates connected twice within two minutes to gain a 3-2 decision.

It didn't bring Harvard a trip to the NCAA's, but it at least gave the Crimson bragging rights in Boston for a year.

1962

Thirteen seconds. Enough time to spit. To blow your nose. And, as Harvard proved, to win a Beanpot.

Even before BU touched the puck in the finals of the tournament, Ike Ikauniks flicked a high backhand into the net at :13 of the first session, giving the Crimson a lead it would never relinquish.