CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – No. 6/6 Harvard was unable to complete a late-game rally on Sunday afternoon, falling to Princeton in a winner-take-all, game three of the ECAC Hockey Quarterfinals, 3-2.
The result eliminates the Crimson from the ECAC Hockey playoffs.
At 8:17 in the first period, Harvard scored the game's opening goal for the first time in the series.
Kristin Della Rovere found
Becca Gilmore with a perfectly timed stretch pass that sent Gilmore in on goal. The senior made good on the opportunity, beating Princeton's goaltender, Rachel McQuigge, with a low shot under the right pad to put Harvard ahead, 1-0. That early lead was erased by Princeton's Sharon Frankel, who scored for the second time in the series at 12:32, tying the game at one.
The score remained level for the remainder of the first period as well as the entirely of the second frame, despite 20 shots on net from Harvard in the middle 20 minutes. In all, 30:49 of game time passed before the contest's next goal, which was eventually scored by the Tigers' Maggie Connors at 3:21 in the third. Just over five minutes later, Princeton bolstered its lead with a goal-line backhander from Shannon Griffin which ricocheted off the right pad of Crimson goalie
Lindsay Reed and found its way into the net.
Facing a two-goal deficit, Harvard opted for the extra-attacker with 2:48 remaining in the game, a decision which appeared to pay immediate dividends when senior
Keely Moy found that back of the net with a wrist-shot at 2:11. Originally called a goal on the ice, the tally was waved off after an official review and the score remained 3-1.
Despite the unfavorable decision, Harvard continued its attack with the extra-skater and was able to trim the Princeton lead on a goal from junior
Anne Bloomer with 1:12 to go in the game. Della Rovere poked a loose puck behind the net to Bloomer, who scored a bank-shot of her own off the back of McQuigge.
There were no last minute heroics to be had for the home team, however, and the final horn sounded with Princeton on top, 3-2.
Harvard Highlights
- Becca Gilmore scored her 19th goal of the season, while also contributing an assist. Gilmore is up to 45 points for the year, matching Jillian Dempsey's total from 2012-13.
- Anne Bloomer recorded her team-leading 20th goal this season and pitched in a helper as well. The junior now has seven multi-point efforts on the year. Bloomer finished the game with six shots on goal.
- Kristin Della Rovere had two assists, giving her 40 points this season. Della Rovere joins her linemate Gilmore as Harvard skaters with 40 or more points on the year.
- Kyra Willoughby and Emma Buckles were +1 on the day. The Crimson's top defensive pairing was +3 in the series overall.
Game Notes
- Harvard drops a quarterfinal series to Princeton for the first time in the ECAC Hockey Tournament. The Crimson had won all three previous series.
- Shots on goal favored Harvard 40-27 in the contest. The Crimson outshot the Tigers for the series, 109-84, finishing with more shots on target in all three games.
- Just one penalty was called in the game, an interference booking on Princeton in the second period. Harvard was unable to convert on the contest's lone power-play.
- The Crimson moves to 51-37-6 vs. Princeton all-time and 7-2 against the Tigers in the ECAC Tournament.
Up Next
Harvard will hope to hear its name when the bracket is revealed for the 2022 NCAA Women's Ice Hockey Tournament on Sunday, March 6. The selection show will air on ESPNews beginning at 9 p.m.
