Coming off its first win in eight games, the Harvard men’s hockey team (4-16-0, 3-12-0 ECAC) hoped to ride a wave of positive momentum into its Saturday night matchup against rival Cornell (9-9-3, 7-5-2).

But before a rowdy sold-out crowd at Bright Hockey Center, the Big Red’s freshman goaltender Andy Iles ruined any chance for two consecutive victories. The rookie made 33 stops against a determined Crimson offense en route to a 2-1 win.

“We certainly had enough chances there to get the equalizer…but weren’t able to get one by [Iles],” Harvard coach Ted Donato ’91 said. “Hats off—I thought their goaltending was outstanding and they did enough to win.”

Iles was put to work almost immediately. The Crimson went on the power play just 36 seconds into the game, when Cornell forward Sean Collins was whistled for boarding.

Harvard registered six unanswered shots on goal in the two minute period, including a dangerous wraparound attempt from junior forward Alex Killorn, but could not convert.

In spite of early Crimson pressure, the Big Red got on the scoreboard first at 4:45 in the first period. Following a poor clearance attempt, Cornell defenseman Braden Birch gained control of the puck before passing to teammate Mike Devin. The veteran’s one-timer—Cornell’s first shot of the game—found its way through traffic and into the back of the net.

“We had six or seven shots before they even got one and they bounced back,” Donato said. “They’re a smart team, and they work hard, and they’re able to bend and not break.”

The Crimson responded with a goal of its own later in the period. Sophomore forward Alex Fallstrom intercepted the puck in the Big Red’s zone and maneuvered his way past two defenders before firing it into the top left corner of the net.

The score was the second in as many days for the Swedish native, who returned to the ice earlier this month after a 10-game absence.

With the game tied at 1-1, both teams came into the second period firing on all cylinders.

Tensions reached a boiling point at 16:30 in the second frame, when Cornell forward Rodger Craig and sophomore defenseman Brendan Rempel were both whistled for roughing, though the latter was assessed a double-minor.

With the one-man advantage, Big Red forward Locke Jillson beat senior netminder Ryan Carroll to make it 2-1.

“We probably took an ill-advised penalty on what ultimately became the game-winning goal,” Donato said. “In a game this close, obviously the small details can make a big difference.”

The Crimson looked for the equalizer in the third, peppering Iles with attempt after attempt. Harvard held an 11-3 shot advantage for the period.

“We came out in the third hard and went to the net as hard as we could,” co-captain Chris Huxley said.

The best chance to tie came with about eight minutes left, during one of the Crimson’s three power play opportunities in the period.

Killorn fired the puck across the crease, and Huxley attempted to redirect it into the net. Iles managed to smother the would-be equalizer with his body.

A video review upheld referees’ call of no goal.

Harvard saw another golden opportunity thwarted by Iles with six minutes left to play when sophomore defenseman Danny Biega’s shot from point-blank range was tipped over the net.

Saturday’s defeat marked the Crimson’s fifth consecutive loss to Cornell after being swept in last year’s regular-season matchups. But this time around, Harvard held the offensive advantage, outshooting the Big Red, 34-20, on the night.

“We worked hard and we had our chances,” Donato said. “I’m sure the kids are frustrated but it wasn’t from a lack of effort. Their goalie was outstanding and I give them credit because I thought they played a smart game.”

“It’s not that we’re happy with a loss because that’s just not possible, but we played hard and you can’t be mad at that,” Huxley added.

—Staff writer Lucy D. Chen can be reached at lucychen@fas.harvard.edu