Northeastern's game-winning goal came at 4:35.With the puck in his zone, a freshman defensemanJim Fahey flipped the puck into the air towardscenter ice. Freshman forward Ryan Zoller was ableto catch up with the bouncing puck ahead of theHarvard defense.
"It was a little alley-oop pass," Tomassonisaid. "You never know where the puck is going tobounce."
"I think everyone lost sight of it," Scorsunesaid.
Zoller closed in on junior goaltender J.R.Prestifilippo and sent a weak backhander on thegoalie's stick. But Prestifilippo, who was forcedto slide with the attack, couldn't control therebound. Hustling in on the Harvard goal andbeating the defense by a half-step was forwardBrian Cummings. Cummings knocked the puck into theopen net to snatch away the win.
Playing By the Book
Surprisingly, only four penalties were calledduring the whole game, and all of them were takenduring the second period. Furthermore, neitherteam's power play saw much success.
At 2:32, Harvard defenseman Peter Capouch wentinto the box for tripping. Although theNortheastern power play line entering the game wasoperating at a strong 23 percent--and over 30percent in the last eight games--Harvard onlyallowed one shot on goal.
The Harvard power play unit, which had fallenin a 6 for 61 slump in the last 11 games, sawthree straight chances during the period butcouldn't get more than three total shots on goal.
"I think we struggled more coming up the ice[on the power play]," Tomassoni said.
Coincidently, when Harvard and Northeasternplayed in last year's Beanpot consolation match,the teams combined to go 2 for 11 on power plays.
A Sluggish Start
The Crimson continued its habit of starting thegame slow and playing strong late in the game. Inthe first period, Harvard was out-drawn infaceoffs, 15-7.
"We were a little sluggish in the first andsecond periods," Tomassoni said.
However, the Crimson stepped up the action inthe third period, outshooting the Huskies 12-5.
"Our third period was the best period allyear," Tomassoni said.
On the year, Harvard has outscored itsopponents 23-11 in the third period.
It's Been a Long Time
The last time the Crimson won a Beanpot titlewas 1993.
Monday's loss extends Northeastern's Beanpotwinning streak against Harvard to four games.Prestifilippo's career record at the Beanpot isnow 0-4.