The Green Line Rivalry, also known as the B-Line Rivalry, the Battle of Boston and Battle of Commonwealth Avenue, is the name for the sports rivalry between Boston College and Boston University. The rivalry is named after the Green Line, a light rail line that runs along Commonwealth Avenue and links the two schools as part of the MBTA, Boston's public transit system. The two campuses lie less than five miles apart. The Green Line Rivalry is considered one of the top rivalries in college sports and first among college hockey rivalries. The Green Line Rivalry is the third most played college hockey rivalry series after the Michigan–Michigan State rivalry and the Battle for the Gold Pan. Ice hockey History The series dates to February 6, 1918, when BU first began playing hockey, and played its lone game that year against BC, a 3–1 loss at the Boston Arena. Since then, no other opponent has appeared on either teams' schedule more often. The rivalry has been renewed annually since the 1946–47 season, and the two teams have met at least twice a year since 1949. The schools have met 275 times; BU leads the series 134–123–18. With 18 NCAA championship game appearances between them, including a matchup in the 1978 championship game, Boston College and Boston University both field perennially competitive collegiate ice hockey teams. They compete in the Hockey East since 1984, having both previously been members of the ECAC since 1961. The two teams meet thrice annually as part of their regular Hockey East season schedule, and often also meet in the Hockey East and NCAA postseason tournaments. Additionally, each first and second Monday in February, BC and BU, along with Harvard and Northeastern, take part in the annual Beanpot Tournament held at TD Garden, where the Eagles and Terriers often square off in the championship game. In the 70 years of the tournament, the two teams have played for the Beanpot trophy 22 times, with BU winning 12 of the championship matchups and BC winning 10. Both teams have had stretches where they dominated the tournament, however, the Terriers have triumphed more often, winning the title 30 times compared to the Eagles' 20 titles (Harvard and Northeastern combined have only won 17 times). The Eagles defeated the Terriers 1–0 in overtime of the 2016 Beanpot championship. Both teams have won the national championship five times; BC in