Dartmouth would pull within two goals at the start of the third period on a tally by forward David Whitworth, but would get no closer as the Crimson matched the Big Green, goal for goal late in the game.

At 14:05, junior Ethan Philpott rushed up the ice, skated in back of the goal and passed the puck to Jeremiah McCarthy, who was positioned just inside the left face-off circle. McCarthy fired a shot on goal and senior forward Joe Craigen picked up the rebound at the right post and put the puck behind the Dartmouth goaltender.

The Big Green would counter with a six-on-three power play goal in the final minute of the final period.

Then, literally to cap off the evening, MacDonald scored an empty-netter with 16 seconds remaining, earning the first hat trick this season by a Harvard player.

MacDonald retrieved the puck from behind the net, curled it around the right post and tucked it into the net.

"I was at the right place at the right time tonight--all three times," MacDonald said.

"It's nice for him to get three goals," Tomassoni said. "It should be a big boost to his confidence. He's played well all season long, it's just that the numbers haven't been there."

With six goals on the night and enough points to guarantee a home playoff game on Tuesday, the Crimson, as a team, finally has the numbers, too.

The Ides of March may have been cruel to Caesar, but March 15 could be kind to Harvard if it finds itself in Lake Placid.

First Period

Har--MacDonald 4 (unassisted), 7:09 (PP).

Har--MacDonald 5 (Millar), 17:17.

Second Period

Har--Higdon 4 (Sproule, McCarthy), 2:19.

Dar--Sturgis 18 (Hughes, Dumas), 3:28 (PP).