BEANTOWN BATTLE ENDS IN DRAW FOR M. HOCKEY

The Harvard men’s hockey team, playing in front of its first sellout crowd of the season, came from behind twice to tie cross-town rival Boston College, 2-2, and extend its unbeaten streak to five games.

Down 2-1, and with the momentum on the Eagles’ bench, Harvard desperately sought to tie the game for a second time in the match. It did so in the 15th minute of the second period, on one of only four power plays the Crimson had on the evening. Freshman defender Tom Walsh found captain and forward Dominic Moore standing on the right side of the net. Walsh zipped a quick pass to Moore, who one-timed the puck into the net.

“I saw Walshy standing up there, and stood on the side of the net hoping he would hit me,” Moore said. “[He] made a great play, just hitting me on the side, and I just got it by the goalie.”

The tie to No. 6 BC (9-2-3) proves the No. 11 Crimson (9-3-1, 9-2 ECAC) is a team able to step up in big games. It had been criticized for its poor play in high-pressure games following losses to nationally-ranked Cornell and Boston University.

But Harvard coach Mark Mazzoleni notes that his critics care much more about what kind of message his team sends to the hockey world than he does.

“I don’t get in to all these sort of statements and stuff people are expecting us to make,” Mazzoleni said. “I thought we played well, and so did they. It was two very good college hockey teams.”.

Harvard tied the game for the first time 3:16 into the second period, just a few minutes after BC’s initial score. Eagles goalie Matti Kaltianen made several close range saves, but was unable to control the loose puck. Junior forward Tyler Kolarik found himself in the right place at the right time, collected the rock and squirted it past the goalkeeper. The goal was his eighth of the season, the most on the squad.

Following the second Harvard score and the end of the second period, the tempo of the game slowed considerably. The two teams combined for just 23 shots in both the third period and overtime. In the second period alone, they had combined for 31 shots.

The overly physical playing style also was tempered towards the end of the match. Though 15 penalties were called in the contest, only two of them were called in the final 25 minutes.

Still, both BC and Harvard had their chances to clinch the game-winner. The Crimson’s best chance to notch a victory came in the closing seconds of regulation when Walsh intercepted a pass near his own blue line. After skating to the opposite end of the ice, Walsh tried to center a pass to junior forward Tim Pettit, who was unable to get to the puck in time, and the puck was cleared.

“It was an entertaining game, as a result of a lot of outstanding plays, on both teams,” said BC coach Jerry York.

One such play was BC’s second goal, which came during one of three power plays it enjoyed in the second period. After finding himself wide open on the right side of the net, junior forward Ben Eaves, the Eagles’ leading scorer (14 points), rocketed a slap-shot past the outstretched leg of sophomore goalie Dov Grumet-Morris. Eagles defender Andrew Alberts assisted on the play.

“We’ve been trying to work one-timers off the flanks [on our power plays],” Eaves said. “Fortunately, I got a good pass, teed one up and beat the goalie.”

The first score came with just 22 seconds remaining in the first period. Though the goal was scored by sophomore forward Tony Voce, it was classmate Dave Spina who created the opportunity. After a fellow Eagle lost the puck on a two-on-two fast break, Spina collected the rock and centered it to the trailing Voce, who slipped a shot past the leg of Grumet-Morris.

As the score indicated, last night’s game was very well played. Both coaches noted that each team “had the chances to win.” Still, the Eagles outshot the Crimson 40-30.

It was Harvard’s physical play, led by the defensive first line of freshman Peter Hafner and sophomore Noah Welch, that kept the BC forwards in check, and helped ensure the Crimson tie.

“Down low, they’re a quick darting team,” Mazzoleni said. “I thought we locked up well against them down low. I thought they [Hafner and Welch] did an excellent job.”

Though Harvard put on one of its strongest showings of the season last night against the Eagles, it will take an even greater effort if the team hopes to prove victorious against No. 2 Maine (11-1-2), who hosts the Crimson this Sunday at 2 p.m.

Even with such a huge matchup looming on the horizon, Harvard looks forward to the possibility of facing the Eagles later on in the season

“I hope to play them down the road. We match up well against them, even though they’re a different type of team,” Mazzoleni said.