Harvard Men’s Ice Hockey Falls in Overtime Against Princeton, Looks Ahead to Beanpot

In its final game before the 72nd annual Beanpot tournament to open February play, the Harvard men’s ice hockey team (7-10-2, 6-6-2 ECAC) fell 4-3 in overtime to the Princeton Tigers (8-10-1, 3-8-1 ECAC).

The Crimson struggled to create offense against Princeton, and freshman goaltender Ben Charette, who again won the starting spot over junior Aku Koskenvuo, was forced to play the puck several times behind the net to quell the early Tiger rush and help start a new carry up ice.

Though Princeton secured multiple offensive opportunities for itself, it was unable to get clean shots on net in the first few minutes.

On one occasion, Crimson sophomore defenseman Matthew Morden fell to the ice while defending a Princeton rush, but one of Princeton’s own players would fall on the offensive setup and crash into the net, causing a stoppage.

Eventually, at the period’s halfway point, Princeton scored off a quick passing sequence moving from the left hash marks out wide towards the faceoff circle before being passed in front of the crease for the score.

The early deficit seemed to energize the Crimson, who created a nice 3-on-2 breakaway chance soon after, ultimately not able to capitalize on the opportunity.

Harvard continued to press on in the final minute and a half and secured a handful of shots on net.

The pressure became too much for the Tigers, and with only 47.2 seconds remaining, Princeton took a preventable hooking penalty, giving the Crimson a numbers advantage.

Coming back on the ice in the next period, Harvard closed out the power play strong, but with no goals to show for it.

A diving attempt by Princeton senior goaltender Ethan Pearson prevented a tying Harvard shot attempt off first-year forward Justin Solovey’s stick.

The stellar goaltending would not last, however, and again pressured to clear the zone, Princeton made an untimely pass to the middle of the ice that was intercepted by junior forward Cameron Johnson and handed off to sophomore Ben MacDonald, who joined him on the rush for the goal, evening the score at 1-1 11 minutes into the second period.

Then with just over two minutes left in the contest, senior captain and defenseman Ian Moore was given an opportunity at the blue line with the puck.

Snapping it on net, the puck was deflected in front of the net by Johnson, who tipped it between the Tiger netminder’s legs before it slid in to put the Crimson up 2-1.

In the final four seconds, a high-sticking and cross-checking penalty was called against Harvard and Princeton, respectively. This put a damper on what was otherwise a dominant period from Harvard.

Fortunately for Harvard, the penalties meant play would only go to 4-on-4 instead of the team being down a man.

Speaking after the game on the relatively clean performance compared to recent weeks, Harvard Head Coach Ted Donato ’91, said “They have good power play. I think we wanted to stay out of the box and play five on five and make them have to defend.”

Princeton now had a chance to come out of the locker room with more space to try to settle down the game after the second period.

A shot off the rebound in the first five minutes quickly brought the Tigers back to an even 2-2 score.

Another goal, taken from the left circle, made it past Charette with now just ten minutes to play, giving the Tigers a 3-2 advantage.

But just as Harvard had responded with two straight goals in the second period after Princeton’s first, Moore now had another chance on net.

This time, junior forward Philip Tresca carried the puck in behind Pearson and out to the blue line again for a cleaner shot attempt for Moore, who tied the game at 3-3 with nine minutes remaining in regulation.

First-year forward Mick Thompson now stepped up to carry the team late after Moore’s goal, passing cross-ice in front of the net to Severo, who let the puck sail past him.

A breakaway moment later saw Thompson miss on the shot, and his efforts were not enough to close out against a team Harvard has gone to overtime with in both regular season matchups this year.

A Princeton goal in overtime would finish the night for Harvard, despite attempts from junior forward Joe Miller and others that all but appeared to go in, with a handful of shots missing inches wide or being gloved down by Pearson.

Providing his thoughts on the late game sequence, Donato said, “we battle back after being down a goal in the third and had numerous chances, whether it was breakaway, 2-on-0 in front of the net, two on one in overtime, and we don't make a play, and they do. And you have to play a stronger game so that it doesn't come down to one play.”

The Crimson are off tonight as they prepare to take on Boston University in the semi-final round of the Beanpot at TD Garden in Boston on Feb. 3 at 5:00 p.m. Both matchups will be available to stream on NESN.

Moore described his hopes for the team, saying, “We would love to just play the way we know we can play: be resilient, be relentless, playing in the other team's zone, hold on to pucks.”

Harvard will then play Dartmouth on Feb. 7 at 7:00 p.m. in Hanover, NH, available to stream on ESPN+, before playing the final round of the Beanpot at 4:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10 in the consolation or championship game, respectively.

—Staff writer Nate M. Bolan can be reached at nathan.bolan@thecrimson.com.