But it was Bernakevitch’s sudden heroics the night before, coming less than a minute into the third period of the semifinal against Dartmouth, that thrust him—ever-languishing in relative obscurity below most radars—into the spotlight.

Dartmouth had tied the score at 1-1 on a goal from Lee Stempniak with just 41 seconds remaining in the second period, capping a momentum-building push that appeared to zap the Crimson of its energy.

But as it would the next night against Clarkson, Harvard pounced on the opening faceoff, immediately applying heavy pressure in its offensive zone. Not wanting to let the Big Green establish itself defensively, the Crimson immediately went to the net.

Sophomore defenseman Peter Hafner received a pass from junior Ryan Lannon along the blue line and circled towards the right boards before firing a shot at netminder Dan Yacey.

Yacey made the initial save, but Bernakevitch, who has hit paydirt all season long on “lunch pail” goals, was there for yet another, smacking the puck in for the game-winner.

“It was,” Bernakevitch said, “almost too easy.”

Just as he has all season. No flash, no glitz or glamour.

It’s just going to be a lot harder for him to do it below most radars any more.

—Staff writer Timothy J. McGinn can be reached at mcginn@fas.harvard.edu.