SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Harvard women's ice hockey earned a crucial three points in ECAC action tonight by defeating the Union Garnet Chargers in their home rink, 3-1. The Crimson (5-17-2, 3-13-1 ECACH) used two goals from sophomore forward
Gwyn Lapp and 34 saves from
Emily Davidson to come away with the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Crimson made the trip to Central New York for a rare Wednesday night tilt against the Union Garnet Chargers. The two sides met on the ice tonight to battle for position in the ECAC standings before the final playoff push.
- The Garnet Chargers made it tough for the Crimson to get anything going in the first five minutes of the contest, using a series of long possessions to create a few scoring looks that were all turned away by Emily Davidson.
- Harvard took the lead on shots in the next stretch, putting five shots on net in a four-minute span. Gwyn Lapp had a point blank shot from the slot narrowly saved.
- The Crimson penalty kill delivered two impressive kills in the frame to keep Union off the board. Emily Davidson's four saves on the PK led the effort.
- Harvard would go back on the penalty kill later in the period after a successful Union challenge sent Shannon Hollands to the box to serve a five-minute contact-to-the-head penalty. Davidson made two saves and Harvard skaters blocked four shots in the first half of the penalty to head into the locker room with no score.
- The Crimson started off the second period strong on the defensive side of the ice, killing off the five-minute major by blocking two shots and allowing no Union shots on goal.
- Union managed to sneak one past Davidson to take a 1-0 lead five minutes into the second period.
- After the goal, Harvard came back with a ton of offensive zone pressure, forechecking with intensity to create a string of long possessions in the Union zone.
- Gwyn Lapp capitalized on a golden opportunity midway through the period, getting the puck on her stick deep in the Union zone after a great entry from Ellie Bayard and Sophie Ensley. Lapp ripped a shot from the doorstep over the shoulder of the Union goalie to tie the score at one.
- Harvard would tack on another goal late in the period after Gabi Davidson Adams threw a shot off the pads of the Union goaltender to create a great rebound chance for Paige Lester. The junior forward Lester did not miss on the chance, putting a shot into the twine to give the Crimson a 2-1 lead heading into the second intermission.
- Davidson helped the Crimson hold the lead by making three saves in the opening sequences of the third period. The defensive stand helped the team break out to begin a series of lengthy offensive possessions. Trying to get the puck out of its zone, Union took a hooking penalty - that was drawn by Sophie Ensley – to put Harvard on the powerplay.
- The Crimson kept the puck in the Garnet Charger zone for the length of the powerplay that was capped off by another goal by Lapp. Lapp slammed home a rebound on the powerplay to put Harvard in front 3-1.
- Davidson was clutch in the final six minutes of the contest, helping the Crimson kill two penalties late in the game to preserve the Harvard lead. Davidson made four saves on the first PK and another four on the second, a 6-on-4 chance for Union.
- The Crimson rode a spectacular defensive effort to earn a win and three crucial points in ECAC play.
HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS
UP NEXT
Harvard will finally return to its home ice this Saturday (Feb. 3) to take on the Dartmouth Big Green. Puck drop is set for 3:00 PM at the Bright Landry Hockey Center.
