POTSDAM, N.Y. – Casey Severo was the hero in overtime, netting the game-winning goal just over five minutes into the extra frame to force a decisive Game 3 on Sunday evening. 

Trailing 2-0 early, the Crimson stormed back with a dominant second period to set up a winner-take-all matchup, with a trip to Lake Placid on the line.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Clarkson struck first just over two minutes into the opening period when Erik Bargholtz capitalized on a 2-on-1 opportunity to give the Golden Knights an early lead.

Harvard goaltender Aku Koskenvuo was sharp in the first period, stopping six of seven shots, while the Crimson generated offensive momentum but struggled to create high-danger chances.

Just a minute into the second period, Clarkson doubled its lead after a shot from the slot beat Koskenvuo, putting Harvard in a 2-0 hole.

The Crimson responded immediately, as Zakary Karpa scored his first goal of the season just 44 seconds later, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

Harvard pulled even two minutes later on its first power play of the game. Mason Langenbrunner netted his sixth goal of the season, burying a rebound from the left dot off assists from Casey Severo and Lucas St. Louis to tie the game at 2-2.

The Crimson thought they had taken the lead when Jack Bar finished a 2-on-1 rush with Cameron Johnson, but after a Clarkson challenge, the goal was overturned due to an offside ruling. The teams remained deadlocked heading into the third period.

Koskenvuo took over in the final frame, making eight crucial saves, including a highlight-reel stop on Ryan Bottrill in the slot, sending the game to overtime.

The Harvard netminder delivered again in the extra frame, making a spectacular post-to-post save to keep the season alive and deny Clarkson a series-clinching goal.

Just over a minute later, Severo ended the game, finishing a rebound off a shot from Mick Thompson that bounced around in front of the net. The goal sealed the comeback and forced a decisive Game 3.

GAME NOTES

• Severo has now scored two overtime goals in the last three weeks.
• He has goals in two of three playoff games this season and is up to 16 on the year.
• Mick Thompson has five points in three playoff games and has recorded points in five of his last six contests.
• Harvard won its first playoff overtime game since the 2023 ECAC Semifinals against Cornell.
• The two-goal comeback was Harvard's first in the postseason since Game 1 of the 2022 ECAC Quarterfinals.

NEXT UP
Harvard faces Clarkson on Sunday at 4:00 p.m., with a trip to Lake Placid on the line.