But Harvard knew that was a Cornell tactic going in, and despite that forewarning the Big Red was able to convert with that play when it needed to most.

Kolarik Returns

Junior forward Tyler Kolarik’s return wasn’t in the early line charts. He was inserted in the final version put out just an hour before game time.

"It was a last-minute decision; I was begging them from the beginning, trying to get in the lineup,” Kolarik said. “I just thought I could do it."

That decision proved itself when Kolarik redirected a Brett Nowak shot to put Harvard ahead 2-1 with 3:46 to go.

“I didn’t know if Brett was going to shoot it or pass it,” Kolarik said. “I just thought that I’m going to try and deflect it.”

While not as dramatic as his game-winning shot in double overtime versus Cornell a year ago, all done with a broken thumb, Kolarik’s return to the lineup provided a needed spark. And while that spark did not ignite a Crimson victory, it signals good things about the week ahead.

Up Ahead

If all indications are correct, Harvard will make the NCAA tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1993-1994. The Crimson will find out for certain when it gathers at Bright Hockey Center to watch the NCAA Selection Show on ESPN at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Moore said that being able to play in the NCAA Regionals next weekend gives the team consolation after Saturday night’s loss.

“I told the team after the game that, as much as this hurts, our goal since the beginning of the season has been to get to the Frozen Four in Buffalo, and that goal is still very much intact,” Moore said. “When I leave the rink tonight I’ll have a smile on my face, because I’m looking forward to starting that journey.”

Where Harvard’s quest will begin, though, is still very much at issue. But amazingly, the Crimson—which wasn’t even assured of a berth when the weekend began—looks to be a No. 3 seed wherever it plays, which puts Harvard between the ninth- and 12th-highest ranked teams in the nation.

Because the other No. 3 seeds are all teams from Western conferences—Michigan, Ohio State and North Dakota—the Crimson has an excellent chance of staying close to home, in Providence, R.I. or Worcester. If Harvard goes to Providence, Maine—the team that knocked the Crimson out of the tournament last season—is a likely opponent. If Harvard is sent to Worcester, it would likely play Boston University, which is the host school at that site.

—Staff writer Jon Paul Morosi can be reached at morosi@fas.harvard.edu.

—Staff writer Timothy M. McDonald can be reached at tmcdonal@fas.harvard.edu.