WATCH: Cole Eiserman Scores Beauty; Bednarik, Eiserman & BU Win the Beanpot

On the first day of no NHL games for the Four Nation’s Face-Off, the New York Islanders and their fans had at least one college hockey game to watch.

The Beanpot Championship in Boston, with #1 Boston College taking on #9 Boston University in TD Garden.

The Islanders’ significance comes solely from the Terriers. Cole Eiserman and Kamil Bednarik play for BU, and both were selected by New York in the 2024 NHL Draft last June.

BU won 4-1, with Eiserman scoring a dagger with just over six minutes to go to make it 3-1 at the time.

Eiserman’s Big Season and Goal:

Eiserman is the Islanders’ bonafide top prospect, selected 20th overall and hailed as a steal then. Now, the pick has only aged better and better. Eiserman has 16 goals and 24 points through 26 games as a freshman. Not to mention, of those 24 points, 8 come on the power play.

He’s been electric all season and looks like a true star in the making for the Islanders. That star power shines through in big moments, including tonight.

On his goal, it’s everything you want to see. It starts with an extremely hard forecheck. Then, as the puck comes loose, he pounces and steals it. He breaks in alone using a great speed burst, then makes a move and slips a silky backhand through the legs of Montreal Canadiens‘ top prospect, Jacob Fowler.

Watch the highlight reel goal for yourself here.

To top it all off, look at that celebration of that goal. Pure, raw emotion spilling out. The kid has some serious heart, and it spills out on the ice in every big moment.

Finally, on the bench afterward, with one of his coaches telling him nice job, he beats his chest as if to say, “I’m the man.”

Sooner than later, Eiserman might be an Islander.

Bednarik’s Game:

As for the Islanders’ other prospect, Kamil Badnarik’s game fits right in with the evaluation at the draft. He steadied the ship after his entire team had a shaky first period against the mighty Eagles. BU’s head coach, Jay Pandolfo, leaned heavily on Bednarik’s line for forechecking and defensive situations, where Bednarik excelled.

All night long, Bednarik found himself in the right positions defensively and having his stick breaking up passes. Still, you can tell he’s got a longer path than Eiserman. Through 27 games, Bednarik has one goal and 14 points, primarily playing in the bottom six for the Terriers.

Tonight, Bednarik notched a secondary assist for Cole Hutson’s game-winning goal. Bednarik also had a breakaway himself, but Fowler robbed him with the toe on his attempt.

Perhaps most notably, against a team loaded with top NHL draft selections, Bednarik took 20 face-offs and won 14 of them. Dominance in the dots will be big for his future in the NHL.