DULUTH, Minn.--What does it really matter anyways?

It was the holiday season, after all. It was a time for egg nog, caroling and Christmas parties. What do a couple of non-league losses mean in the long run?

That was the question which the Harvard men's hockey team (5-7-2, 4-4-2 ECAC) had to deal with following its two losses in the Christmas series against the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs (11-8-1) on December 20-21. Looking to extend its two game winning streak, the Crimson was playing well and looked poised to breeze into the new year on a winning note.

Unfortunately, no holiday cheer was to be found in Duluth.

Harvard 1, Minnesota-Duluth 3

After two periods, the score was deadlocked at one. Both teams skated onto the ice after the second intermission knowing that it was anybody's game. And for the first 12 minutes, the third stanza was a battle.

Back-and-forth action with few stoppages in play had the Duluth crowd on the edge of its seats.

With only seven minutes remaining in the period, the fans were finally brought to their feet when Minnesota defenseman Matt Taus scooped home a rebound past the sprawling Harvard goaltender J.R. Prestifilippo, giving Minnesota the 2-1 lead.

Although there was still time on the clock, Harvard was stunned.

"That second goal killed us," Harvard coach Ronn Tomassoni said. "I thought that we played a pretty good hockey game and we obviously couldn't get that second one ourselves. We got a little careless in our own end and that was the turning point."

Six minutes later, Minnesota left winger Adam Roy put the finishing touches on the game. Driving down the right side and pitted one-on-one with Harvard defenseman Ben Storey, Roy barreled toward Prestifilippo.

At the final second, Roy leaned his entire body into Storey and shoveled the puck into the back of the net for the 3-1 lead.

This end to the contest mimicked the start, where Minnesota came sprinting out of the blocks.

Outshooting the Crimson 17-7 in the first period, the Bulldogs ripped through the Harvard defense, pelting Prestifilippo with short-range missiles.

Just seconds after a Minnesota power play concluded and with less than six minutes remaining in the period, Minnesota right winger Joe Rybar put home a rebound giving the Bulldogs the early 1-0 advantage.