“We were lousy in the defensive zone—we need to clean it up,” Stone said. “Part of the problem is, we haven’t had to play there very much. As much as we’ve practiced, games are different.”

Despite their success in keeping the puck in Harvard’s end, the Friars’ forwards failed to threaten Ruddock with their chances.

Providence’s only goal came from a defenseman—Kelli Halcisak, a transfer from Ohio State who actually led the Buckeyes in scoring her freshman year. Harvard played into the Friars’ hands as Hockey East Player of the Month Jenn Butsch won the puck deep in the defensive zone and found Halcisak wide open at the point.

Halcisak had a clear look at the net, and Ruddock never saw the puck.

Both teams had their fair share of missed opportunities. Harvard was 0-for-8 on the power play, while Providence was 0-for-5. Both teams came up empty on lengthy two-man advantages—the Crimson’s lasted 30 seconds and the Friars’ lasted a full minute.

Harvard outshot Providence 32-21, but never generated any consistent pressure on the offensive end.

“I don’t think we really tested their goaltender,” Stone said. “I think she’s good. I don’t know how good she is.”

Harvard’s lone goal in regulation was the result of speedy effort in transition 14 minutes into the first period.

Sophomore Nicole Corriero nearly broke free on the breakaway, but could not quite handle puck. She recovered and passed back, and the first line worked to get a shot on the goal. Bugden left the rebound loose in the crease, and Botterill crashed the net and lifted the puck over Bugden’s outstretched legs for the goal.

Despite taking the early lead, Harvard could not put Providence away until nearly the last possible seconds. The Crimson appreciated the closeness of the game in some sense.

“You’ve got to have games like those where you face challenges,” Botterill said. “I think we learned a lot from it and we’ll be better for it down the road.”

—Staff writer David R. De Remer can be reached at remer@fas.harvard.edu.

W. HOCKEY 2, Providence 1 (OT)

at Schneider Arena

Harvard (9-1-0, 5-0-0 ECAC) 1 0 0 1 — 2