As a player, senior winger Tammy Shewchuk has rarely been accused of being at a loss for words. When it came to saying goodbye Saturday, however, her actions spoke louder than words ever could.

"What a way for Tammy to end her career at Bright Hockey Center," said Harvard Coach Katey Stone. "She was outstanding, and I'm happy for her. I just thank god she was on our team."

Shewchuk scored a natural hat trick in the Crimson's 4-3 ECAC quarterfinal victory over Providence and is the biggest reason Harvard's bid for a second national championship is still alive.

It was Shewchuk's final home game, but it was clear by her actions on the ice that she wasn't willing to let it be the final game of her Harvard hockey career too.

"I was standing on the blueline going, 'Oh my gosh!' I got teary-eyed," Shewchuk said. "I really did. After spending five years here, on and off, it's tough to say goodbye. It's tough to know you're never going to lace it up here again. I think the whole team just wanted to have a good showing."

Following the game, Stone credited Shewchuk with giving the team faith after Harvard squandered a two-goal lead.

"The things she said going out for the overtime were just as confident as they were two years ago for the overtime in the national championship," Stone said. "She's an absolute believer, takes responsibility and gets it done."

Although Shewchuk's confidence reminded Stone of Harvard's 1999 national championship victory, Shewchuk was thinking more about last season and the Crimson's heart-breaking overtime loss to Dartmouth in the ECAC semifinal.