The victory for Princeton (11-16-2, 10-10-2) moved the Tigers into sixth place and set up a first-round playoff matchup with RPI.

Senior forward David Del Monte recorded the first Princeton goal. Del Monte took advantage of a failed clear on Harvard’s power-play defense, gathering up a rebound right in front of Grumet-Morris and knocking it home at 3:49 of the second frame.

In the second period, junior winger Trevor Beaney took advantage of a Harvard line change to blast a slap shot past Grumet-Morris, making the score 2-0.

The Tigers would add one more tally on an unassisted goal by Ryan Kraliz in the third period.

Princeton Coach Len Quesnelle knew what the key to the game was for the Tigers.

“We were outshot and he made some big saves for us,” Quesnelle said. “It was a well-deserved shutout for Stathos.”

Stathos’ shutout was the first Princeton blanking of Harvard since 1952.

The Road Ahead

Harvard takes a tremendous losing streak into the playoffs. The Crimson is 2-8-1 since the start of February, having fallen from its perch atop the ECAC and out of the national rankings.

Harvard was ultimately lucky that it did not have enough time left in the season to lose home ice, as it has been a far better team at home this year, winning seven of its 11 games at the Bright Hockey Center.

Harvard has played Brown twice this year, losing 4-2 in the season opener at Bright and then taking an early December rematch 5-2. The Crimson and the Bears will start their series Friday night at Bright Hockey Center.

“We have to forget about it,” captain Peter Capouch said of the team’s losing streak. “What’s done is done, and we just have to focus on the playoffs.”

“We’re going to have our hands full [with Brown], and we’re going to have to play our best hockey of the year.”