To make matters worse, the Crimson's nemesis--the referee's whistle--reared its ugly head again.
At the 10:31 mark, Young's tripping penalty gave the Big Green a 5-3 advantage with defender Kevan Melrose already in the box. Roy made a brilliant glove save to kill off Melrose's penalty, but with Young still serving time, the Big Green closed the margin to 3-2 on a perfectly executed two-on-one capped off by Tom Nieman.
However, the strangely somber spectators remained relatively silent, and the Harvard passing game quickly deflated Dartmouth's momentum within the next minute.
The crucial goal came on a three-on-one break. Vukonich fed Murphy in the middle, and Murphy slipped a pass back to Vukonich in the left slot. Vukonich returned the favor, whipping a pass off Burke's stick back to Murphy, who let loose from 10 feet to seal the game.
"I was excited, because I knew it was a big goal," said Murphy, who whooped up a storm on the ice after his score. "We had let them back into the game."
Defeating Dartmouth may have been a breeze last year, but nothing has come easy for the title-holders this season. Still, Big Green Coach Brian Mason thinks the Crimson may make some noise in the ECAC.
"I think they've got all the talent," Mason said. "They're a sleeping giant right now. They just haven't gelled yet."
Perhaps not, but when the Crimson needed help, Roy, the nation's goals-against leader last season, held the line en route to his career-high save total. After Roy's performance, his status in the Crimson's goaltending rotation--which was shaken by a Mike Francis start last Saturday--has been reaffirmed in Cleary's eyes.
"I think I'll be going back to the two-goalie rotation," Cleary said.
Crimson, 4-2 at Hanover, N.H. HARVARD 2-1-1--4 Dartmouth 0-0-2--2
First Period--1, H, Mike Vukonich 3 (Tim Burke, John Murphy) 3:25; 2, H, Vukonich 4 (Tod Hartje, Murphy) 16:10. Penalties--H, Brian McCormack (holding) 13:12; H, B. McCormack (tripping) 19:49.
Second Period--3, H, Ted Drury 3 (Jim Coady, C.J. Young) 8:25. Penalties--D, Mike Fehm (holding) 3:15; H, Brian Popiel (elbowing) 10:10; H, Kevan Melrose (cross-checking) 10:51; D, Roger Chiasson (late hit) 10:51; D, Sean Tomaltuy (slashing) 17:11.
Third Period--4, D, Nate Dudley 1 (Jamie Hanlon) 0:42; 5, D, Tom Nieman 3 (Hanlon, Dave Williams) 11:09; 6, H, Murphy 2 (Vukonich, Burke) 12:41. Penalties--H, Burke (high sticking) 2:49; D, Pat Wildman (roughing) 7:29; H, Drury (roughing) 7:29; H, Melrose (holding) 8:36; H, Young (tripping) 9:29; D, Kevin Kiley (playing without a helmet) 16:38.
Saves--H, Allain Roy 11-19-15--45; D, Steve Laurin 5-20-5--30.
Power Plays--H, 0-3; D, 1-6.
Attendance: 2842.