The Crimson outshot the talented Saints 20-5 in the final period of regulation and had completely smothered any sparks of offense.

Junior forward Trevor Allman, the hero of last Saturday's win at Cornell with two goals, appeared destined for such honors again.

At 9:44 of the third period, Allman dug for the puck to the side of the net off freshman defenseman Peter Capouch's point shot and tried to wrap it home. Sprawled senior goaltender Eric Heffler denied him at the right post, but Allman recovered his own rebound and swooped around the back of the goal to stuff it in the vacant side.

Harvard had been pressuring Heffler since senior defenseman Ben Storey tied up the game at 3-3 with 18:25 left in the third period on the power play. He shoveled a shot from the right point that found its way into the far corner.

"It took us a while to get it going," Adams said. "Once we did get it going we took it to him and I still think we deserved to win this game."

Storey, however, was only answering a Saints shorthanded goal 47 seconds earlier. Junior forward Jason Windle darted down on Prestifilippo on a breakaway. Prestifilippo snuffed Windle's first shot, but the rebound popped straight in the air, and Windle was able to bat it into the net.

The game had taken a typical Crimson progression. St. Lawrence stormed out to the gates, pinning the Harvard defense down with excellent movement in the offensive zone and strong play by its point men. In the second period, led by Allman's line, the defense clutched and grabbed to effectively slow the Saints down.

The increased physical play in the second period opened the ice for Harvard's fleet skaters to pour it on.

"After the first twelve minutes we calmed down and skated better," said Harvard Coach Ronn Tomassoni. "We increased our physical play and started to play real well from that point on."

Up until the final minute, Prestifilippo was enjoying another outstanding game. The junior standout had to dive all over the ice to hold the Saint's top line of seniors John Poapst and Bob Prier and sophomore Erik Anderson to just one goal in the first period.

He stoned Prier with 13:26 left in the second period on a hurried breakaway.

Moreover, Prestifilippo had clearly been outplaying Heffler, the ECAC's best goal-tender and strong candidate for All-American honors. The first three Crimson goals befuddled the Saint netminder, all the shots more change-ups than hard blasts.

"We thought Heffler was fighting the puck tonight," Tomassoni said.

Of course, once Harney's shot crossed the goal line, all of that became hollow praise.

"[Prestifilippo] was outstanding," Tomassoni said. "He was sharp. He made some big saves. These things happen and I'm sure he wants it back."