With sophomore center Luke Esposito and junior defenseman Patrick McNally injured in Friday’s game against Cornell, Donato knew that Saturday’s task would be a difficult one. A last-minute scratch by sophomore defenseman Brayden Jaw did not make things any easier.

The Crimson dressed freshman center Joseph Caffrey and senior winger Mike Seward on the fourth line to fill the gaps. Despite the late notice, the combination impressed, logging important minutes in the Raider zone.

“Mike Seward, [playing in his] first game of the year, I thought he played unbelievable,” Criscuolo said. “He’s a big body and gave [Colgate] a lot of trouble and let our momentum keep going after [his] shift.”

McNally is unlikely to return for the first round of the Beanpot next Monday, while the outlook for Esposito is more positive, according to Assistant Director of Athletic Communications Brock Malone. Sophomore forward Alex Kerfoot might return later this week.

Despite the missing pieces and unanswered questions, Harvard finished an up-and-down January term on an unexpected high. 

“I said to the guys after [the game], ‘I’m proud to be along for the ride,’” Donato said. “It was a very gutty, gritty effort.”

—Crimson staff writer Michael D. Ledecky can be reached at michael.ledecky@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @mdledecky.