PRINCETON, N.J. – The Crimson scored two first-period goals but was unable to hold on against its Ivy rival Princeton after falling 5-2 on Saturday night.
Jack Bar netted his first goal of the season in his return to the lineup while
Derek Mullahy made 26 saves between the pipes. The Crimson will be back in action tomorrow at UConn with puck drop scheduled for 3:00 PM on ESPNU.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In a busy first period, both teams had great chances just minutes into the game. The Crimson was awarded an early power-play after Jack Cronin was called for a slash to set up the first-man advantage of the game.
Zakary Karpa had the best look on the man up after firing a shot from the top of the circles that beat Arthur Smith but just caught the crossbar.
After successfully killing the penalty, Princeton was able to generate some zone time and eventually found a Tiger alone in front who was able to jam the puck past Mullahy but not over the line after
Jack Bar saved the Crimson from an early deficit.
After saving a goal, Bar added his first of the season after firing a rocket from the point. In his first game since Nov. 10, the Ontario native one-timed a pass from
Ryan Healey that beat Smith blocker side. The second goal of his career, Bar last scored on Oct. 10, 2022 against Dartmouth. Healey regained sole possession of the team lead in points with his fifth assist of the season and seventh point.
Joe Miller kept the momentum going after forcing a turnover on the forecheck and wiring a backhand that just beat the Tigers' netminder. His fourth goal of the season, Miller has scored three of his four goals against the Tigers. Thanks to Miller, the Crimson took a 2-0 lead heading into the break.
The two-goal lead didn't last long as the Tigers opened the middle frame with a quick strike after the puck found an open man in the slot who fired a shot past Mullahy.
Looking to protect the one-goal lead, Mullahy made an incredible toe stop on a 2-0 from the Tigers offense. Going post to post, the senior netminder made one of his many highlight reel stops this season to protect the lead.
The Tigers scored shortly after the big stop from Mullahy on the power play to even the score at two apiece. After heading to the power-play with time expiring in the second, the Tigers converted to take a 3-2 lead heading into the third period.
Michael Callow had the best look in the third period after trying to jam a puck home in the crease to tie the game at three but was unable to beat Smith. The Tigers eventually converted on the backdoor to take a 4-2 lead with just over 5:00 left to play. Princeton added one more as time expired after the Crimson pulled Mullahy for the extra attacker.
NEXT UP
Harvard will head to Storrs to wrap up 2023 with a New Year's Eve matchup with the Huskies. Puck drop is set for 3:00 p.m. on ESPNU.
HIGHLIGHTS
