The effort was there all night. The Crimson outshot the Spartans, 29-19, and held State's Olympian, Kevin Miller, to a lone third-period goal.
But a slew of Crimson power plays went for nought.
"The key thing was we were able to keep our composure and get through the tough parts," MSU Coach Ron Mason said.
And a season which saw the Crimson capture the ECAC's regular-season title--an accomplishment which brings no banners--expired.
Final Records
Harvard: 21-11-0
Michigan State: 27-14-3
Michigan State, 5-3 at Bright Center Michigan St. 2-1-2--5 Harvard 0-1-2--3
First Period--1, M, Danton Cole 41 (Pat Murray, Bobby Reynolds) 3:33; 2, M, Mike O'Toole 11 (Reynolds, Cole) 15:46.
Second Period--3, H, John Weisbrod 8 (Mike Vukonich, Jerry Pawloski) 5:08; 4, M, Bruce Rendall 10 (Chris Luongo, McReynolds) 6:03.
Third Period--5, M, Kevin Miller 5 (Reynolds, Hamilton) :19; H, Pawloski 5 (Tod Hartje) 9:39; 6, H, Josh Caplan 7 (unassisted); M, O'Toole 12 (unassisted) 19:56.
Saves--M, Jason Muzzatti 8-13-5--26; H, Michael Francis 5-2-7--14.
Power Play Opps: M, 2-4; H, 1-8.
A: 2934