Union was in control for much of the first two periods, but both teams were unable to convert on chances to score.
“Even though I made some good saves, guys were taking sticks in front of me, getting rebounds in the corner,” said Girard, who finished with 31 stops and led all ECAC goaltenders with a .947 playoff save percentage. “The guys gave me the best chance to stop the puck every shot I had.”
The Crimson didn’t get a shot off for the first 17 minutes of the second period, as Union showed why it is first in the nation in goals-against average.
“They made it tough for us, made us play in our zone a lot,” Donato said.
Harvard did manage four shots on goal in the final moments of the second frame, but Grosenik held, and the game went into the final period tied.
“I don’t think we had the same legs that we’ve had recently,” Donato said. “But there’s no excuses. The truth of it is, Union’s a very good hockey team, and they were deserving of winning tonight.”
—Staff writer Scott A. Sherman can be reached at ssherman13@college.harvard.edu.