CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—Princeton scored three power-play goals to hold on for a 4-3 win over a resilient Harvard men's hockey team led by Alex Killorn's two goals in the Crimson's season opener Friday night at Bright Hockey Center.
After Princeton (1-1-1, 1-1-0 ECAC Hockey, 1-0-0 Ivy League) netted the game's first two goals, the Crimson (0-1-0, 0-1-0, 0-1-0) cut the lead to one goal three times, twice off the stick of Killorn once on a goal by Luke Greiner. Alex Fallstrom notched two assists, and Steve Michalek made 34 saves in his first official collegiate action in front of an opening-night crowd of 2,306. Eric Carlson scored twice for Princeton, and Sean Bonar stopped 25 Harvard shots.
After Princeton started well, Harvard battled back and the teams played an even first period until the final minute. The Tigers, on the game's first power play, scored when Brodie Zuk poked the puck toward the net, and it bounced off a Harvard skate toward the net, with Carlson touching it on the way through.
Michael Sdao shot through a Jack Berger screen for a second power-play goal nearly six minutes into the second period, but a pair of Tigers penalties soon followed. The Crimson could not convert on a two-man advantage but scored immediately after the second penalty expired. Killorn slammed in a Fallstrom pass out of the left corner after Ryan Grimshaw sent the puck down low.
Aaron Kesselman made it 3-1, Tigers, at 5:43 of the third period, when tallied from the left side after Alec Rush sent the puck goalward and Eric Meland got a touch on it. Killorn had another answer, less than two minutes later, following a Princeton penalty. His one-timer from a Danny Biega pass was blocked, but the Crimson got to the rebound. After a pass from Conor Morrison, Killorn curled around the top of the right circle and fired a shot that deflected off the stick of a Princeton defender and past Bonar.
Carlson tipped in a Derrick Pallis point shot at the 11:15 mark, but the Crimson bounced right back to trim the margin to 4-3. Greiner scored just 32 seconds later, from the right side in transition after Fallstrom broke up a Princeton pass. Harvard could not find a tying goal, however, despite pulling Michalek for an extra attacker in the final minute.
Princeton held a 38-28 shots advantage and was 3 for 4 on the power play. Harvard scored once in four power plays. In addition to Michalek, fellow freshmen Colin Blackwell, Max Everson, Patrick McNally, Tommy O'Regan and Petr Placek played in their first game for Harvard.
