CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – No. 9/10 Harvard (9-3-1, 7-1-0 ECACH) returns to conference play this weekend for a road series at Princeton (7-8-0, 5-6-0 ECACH) and No. 2/3 Quinnipiac (15-1-3, 10-0-0 ECACH). At the conclusion of the weekend, Harvard will have played 10 of its last 11 games on the road (Harvard is 4-3-1 in road contests this year). Returning from the holiday break last weekend Harvard split games at No. 7/8 BU (L, 2-1 OT) and vs. Northeastern (W, 8-4) on Friday and Sunday. Junior forward
Alex Laferriere (2-3-5) led the Crimson in points on the weekend, with goaltender
Mitchell Gibson starting both games in net and making a combined 70 saves.
WHAT TO KNOW
- Princeton is playing some of its best hockey of the season with a 5-2 record in its last seven contests. The Tigers have averaged 3.86 goals per game during that span. Princeton is led by sophomore forward Jack Cronin (8-4-12), and senior defenseman Pito Walton (4-9-13). Sophomore goaltender Ethan Pearson (7-5-0, 2.28, .914) has been strong in net.
- Quinnipiac is off to a dominant start at 15-1-3, including a current 14-game unbeaten run (13-0-1). Collin Graf (9-20-29) leads a bevy of high scoring forwards, with Zach Metsa (3-10-13, +19) leading things on the back end. Sophomore goaltender Yaniv Perets (15-1-3, 1.78, .909) has once again been excellent in net.Harvard's special teams have been a strong point early on this season. Harvard has the No. 5 power play unit in the nation (11-for-40, 27.5%) and the No. 1 penalty killing unit in the nation (30-for-33, 90.9%). Harvard has potted five shorthanded goals (No. 2, NCAA) in its first nine games, with Sean Farrell scoring two of them.
- Harvard's special teams have been a strong point early on this season. Harvard has the No. 8 power play unit in the nation (12-for-46, 26.1%) and the No. 6 penalty killing unit in the nation (36-for-41, 86.1%). Harvard has potted five shorthanded goals (No. 4, NCAA) in its first 13 games, with Sean Farrell scoring two of them.
- Harvard's defensive play has been a highlight of its first 13 games, as the team has held the opposition to two goals or less in 9 of 13 games this year, and has the nation's No. 11 scoring defense (2.38 goals allowed per game). Starting goaltender Mitchell Gibson (6-2-1, 2.07, .928) has been one of the nation's best in net, with the nation's 10th best goals-against average and 3rd best save percentage.
- Harvard's centers have helped the Crimson become one of the top faceoff teams in the nation early on, currently sitting at No. 10 (53.4%) in the nation. Senior captain Baker Shore (103-84, 55.1%), sophomore Zakary Karpa (99-76, 56.6%), and sophomore Matthew Coronato (168-140, 54.5%) have all been excellent on draws.
- Senior goaltender Mitchell Gibson is one of the most experienced goaltenders in the nation, with a career 35-20-5 mark in 61 games played, including a 2.31 GAA and .919 Save %. Gibson led Harvard's late season run in 2021-22, notching 47 saves in the ECAC Hockey title game against Quinnipiac. This season, Gibson is 6-2-1 with a 2.07 GAA (10th, NCAA) and .928 Save% (3rd, NCAA).
UP NEXT
Harvard continues ECAC Hockey play with its first home series of the new year, as it hosts Clarkson and St. Lawrence on Jan. 13-14. Both games will start at 7 p.m. and will air on ESPN+.
