That was painful.

No. 7 Dartmouth came to Bright Hockey Center Friday and stunned the No. 1 Harvard women's hockey team in overtime, 5-4. That was the first time Harvard had lost in 33 games.

It was also the first time I have watched this team lose--ever. For those of you who don't glance at The Crimson's sports section often, no other beat writer has had that luxury since I've been here.

As my younger sister is obligated to ask every Passover, why on this night? On all other nights, life is normal. Last Friday night, Harvard raised the 1999 AWCHA national championship banner before the opening face-off, reliving the greatest sports moment I have ever witnessed in person. Exactly two minutes into overtime, the Big Green skaters were mobbing junior winger Jen Wiehn behind the Harvard net--directly under the brand-new banner. Why?

Because of too many breakdowns in the defensive zone, that's why. And not enough passing on offense. Playing the first game of the year without senior goaltender Crystal Springer (sprained knee) and junior center Kiirsten Suurkask (dislocated shoulder) didn't help, either.

Dartmouth took Harvard to overtime when it came to Bright last February, but the Crimson prevailed in the extra period (not to mention blowing out the Big Green in the ECAC Tournament semifinals, 8-1). On Friday, both teams played the same way they did last year--Dartmouth likes to lay a body on opponents to slow down the game, while Harvard thrives on its speed and continuous cycling in the offensive zone.

In overtime last year, it was just a matter of if, or when, Harvard would score and avoid the tie. Dartmouth never cleared the zone, and winger Tammy Shewchuk converted one of her 51 goals to win. Harvard also controlled the puck for the first two minutes of overtime on Friday, but then Dartmouth junior center Lauren Trottier forced a turnover in the neutral zone and threw a shot on goal. Wiehn knocked in the rebound.

Give Dartmouth credit. The Big Green has improved its offense, and its forecheck was as aggressive as ever. The last 12 minutes of the contest were fairly even, with both teams having plenty of chances. Any game that goes into overtime is up for grabs, and Dartmouth came through.