The tide could have turned when Harvard killed off a five-minute major, but Vermont continued to apply the pressure.
With time winding down in the second period, Vermont again went on the power play. Ruid hurt the Crimson a second time. The 6-4 forward tipped Mike Larkin's shot from the point to extend the Catamount lead to 3-0.
The goal sent the numerous Catamount supporters into a frenzy, as they could sense Vermont's dominance Saturday night. In fact, the Vermont fans often drowned out the Bright Center faithful with their "Let's go Cats" chants.
Harvard's best chance of the night occurred with :02 left in the second period and a face-off in the Vermont end. The puck immediately slid into Vermont's crease, and as time expired a Crimson player finally got the puck past goalie Tim Thomas for once. But the officials ruled that the horn had sounded, and Harvard entered the third period down by three.
The third period wrought much of the same, as Harvard's power plays continued to come up empty, and Thomas continued to turn away shot after shot.
Harvard's effort was stronger in the third period, but still it wasn't enough. Tripp Tracy was pulled for an extra attacker as time wore down. Catamount Matt Stelljes iced the puck from inside his own zone, and as luck would have it, the puck found the empty net for a 4-0 Vermont advantage.
Still, the Catamounts were not done, and with 25 seconds left Vermont again cashed in on a two-on-one break for the final 5-0 score.
"I thought we had a good third period with regards to our effort," Coughlin said. "We weren't able to put anything in, but we just have to keep trying."
With the losses by the league's top team, the Crimson still remains in relatively good shape. But with four games left in the regular season and the Crimson four points behind the leaders, time is starting to run out.
"There is still plenty of time, and we just have to stay in it together," Tomassoni said. First Period Ver--Perrin 22 (St. Louis, Ducharme) 10:51. (PP) Ver--Ruid 8 (St. Louis, Larkin) 18:16. (PP) Second Period Ver--Ruid 9 (Larkin, St. Louis) 19:36. (PP). Third Period Ver--Stelljes 8 (Hamllton, Thomas) 18:58. (EN) Ver--Ducharme 12 (Patterson) 19:35. Saves: Ver--Thomas 8-13-14 35; Har-Tracy 8-7-9 24., Power Play: Ver--3-9; Har-0-11. Attendance: 2,888