“We are getting strong goaltending,” Stone said. “You’re goaltender really has to be your best penalty killer.”

Fellow freshman goalie Molly Tissenbaum got her first game action of the season, allowing no goals as well and tallying six saves.

The defense is so crisp that Maschmeyer feels confident that even if Harvard commits penalties, the Crimson will be able to keep its opponents off the board.

“As a goalie, I feel really comfortable with everyone in front of me,” Maschmeyer said. “I’m never worried about it when we get a penalty, it’s like ‘yep, we’re going to kill it.’”

The Crimson held Russia without a shot on three of the five man-advantage opportunities.

“We tend to be really aggressive, and with that comes a lot of communication,” Spurling said. “Our team is really, really close this year, and on the [penalty kill] that’s essential.”

In Friday’s game against Dartmouth, the Crimson killed 11 penalties without giving up a goal, despite being down two players at one point.

WHEN HOCKEY GIVES YOU PENALTIES, SCORE GOALS

On the other side of the ice, Harvard also dominated its foreign opponent. The Crimson came into the game converting 18.9 percent of its power play opportunities, good for 10th in the country.

Compared to its season average, Harvard was more than twice as efficient on power plays, converting two of its four power-play chances.

“Our coaches have been really focused on making sure we do well on the power play,” Spurling said. “We have to take advantage of those opportunities.

Penalties helped the Crimson get on top early, capitalizing on both chances in the first period.