The Crimson skaters were able to regroup and take the lead in the second period, a testament to their talent and resolve.

With five minutes to go in the third period, Crimson junior defender and captain Angela Ruggiero was called for a 2-minute interference penalty and a 10-minute misconduct. Harvard was thus forced to kill the two-minute penalty and play the next ten minutes, including five of overtime, without the best defenseman in the world. Yet through those ten minutes, the Crimson did more than hold its own, generating some fine chances. Freshman Jennifer Skinner did her part in replacing Ruggiero on defense for that span.

Indeed, all the players did their part, and none can be faulted for the loss.

“Before the second overtime our coaching staff was talking about it and we said whoever gets the bounce is going home with the trophy,” Duluth coach Shannon Miller said. “We obviously got the bounce.”

Botterill almost got the bounce four minutes before the game ultimately ended. Thirty-one seconds into the second overtime, Botterill fired a forceful shot on net and Ruggiero appeared to knock the puck from underneath Sautter’s pads into the net. After reviewing the play, the referee ruled that the whistle had blown before the puck was knocked in.

That was one among many missed opportunities for both sides during what was arguably the greatest women’s college hockey game ever played.

“All the girls are so appreciative of the kind of team that we've had and the effort we put forward tonight,” Botterill said. “It was a great hockey game to be a part of, and I think that obviously this evening we’re going to be a little disappointed for a little while. But I think with time we’ll realize what a special season this is. It was a great game. We’re very proud to have been a part of it.”

—Staff writer David Weinfeld can be reached at weinfeld@fas.harvard.edu.