Already overwhelmed by Harvard’s puck movement, the Black Bears’ defenders consistently lost the battle for those rebounds to the Crimson’s crashing forwards, further complicating Howard’s task.

Bernakevitch, senior Dennis Packard and freshman Ryan Maki all earned lunch-pail goals from just outside the goalmouth off rebounds surrendered by Howard, who was left helpless when his blue liners were beaten to the net by Harvard’s skaters.

“That was ideal,” Maki said. “We knew we had to get things going on the power play, but I don’t think it was expected.”

The Crimson made a concerted effort as shots were released to dominate positions that provided unfettered access to Howard, ensuring there would be a logjam in front at every opportunity. Relatively small compared to Harvard, Maine could do little to help its goaltender once a skater was placed in the box, so the Black Bears made the one adjustment they could: They stopped committing penalties.

Infraction-free for the entirety of the third period, Maine undercut the Crimson’s primary point of attack and never looked back.

SHOT DOWN

As the playoffs unfolded, blocking shots emerged as Harvard’s calling card defensive strategy thanks to Crimson skaters who more effectively cut down on lanes to Dov Grumet-Morris than at any other point this season.

Against Dartmouth and Clarkson in the ECAC’s championship weekend, Harvard dropped low to the ice to weather difficult stretches while easing the burden on goaltender Grumet-Morris’ shoulders.

Back on its heels during the middle 10 minutes of the first period against the Black Bears, the Crimson relied on the same tactic, stopping 13 of 33 shots squeezed off before they ever came close to threatening Grumet-Morris, who already had his hands full with 15 that did find their way on target.

“It’s nice to see guys coming together and doing whatever it takes,” Maki said, “[especially] blocking shots.”

The junior netminder eased into his comfort zone as a result, despite two shaky performances in NCAA tournaments past in which he had averaged five goals against.

But Maine did not relent in applying heavy pressure, firing 55 more shots in the game’s final two periods. Of those, Harvard blocked 11—still a sizeable percentage of the Black Bears’ total output—but 31 found their way to Grumet-Morris, leading to five goals.

SHIPPING OUT

Five days after his final game as Harvard’s captain, Kenny Smith signed an amateur tryout contract with the Toronto Roadrunners, the AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers, who drafted Smith in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

While not a full contract, the agreement allows Smith to join the Roadrunners for the remainder of the season. Smith said he will most likely not see game action, but will gain professional experience before next season’s training camp.