The Bobcats’ comeback attempt came on the heels of a first period in which they could never find their rhythm. Quinnipiac approached the attacking zone several times in transition, but those chances led to turnovers and blocked shots more often than shots on target. The Bobcats generated just nine shots overall, only four of which came on net (Harvard registered 27 and 14, respectively).
Harvard added to its one-goal lead at the 14:55 mark in the first on the man advantage. After the Crimson’s first power play unit failed to generate much offense, the second unit, backed by Blackwell on the point, took to the ice.
After traffic cleared in front of the net and with the puck on his stick, Blackwell capitalized on the newly acquired space. From the top of the left faceoff circle, the forward lifted his stick and delivered a rocket into the top left corner of the net to double his side’s lead.
Blackwell has four goals in Harvard’s six postseason tilts after missing all but three of the team’s regular season games due to recurring concussion issues—issues that led everyone in attendance at Herb Brooks Arena to hold their collective breath early in the third period.
Positioned along the boards deep in his own zone, Blackwell took a hit from Bobcat forward Tim Clifton that sent the Harvard fourth-year crashing facedown to the ice clutching his head. But to the surprise of everyone in attendance at Herbs Brook Arena, Blackwell returned to the ice midway through the third, providing a constant presence on the forecheck and nearly finding the back of the net on a two-on-one chance late in the game.
“There’s a really tough balance as a coach with Colin,” Donato said. “He’s such a talented guy, and you want to see him do so well, but you also want to see him regain his health and be able to play…. Colin’s a difference-maker for us, and we’re excited that he was able to survive that.”
Moy added the third goal of the period less than a minute after Blackwell after jumping on a breakaway at center ice. Pecknold pulled Garteig following the score, but the junior would return at the start of the second, stopping each of the remaining 15 shots he saw.
But two Harvard goals on Garteig’s vacant net sealed the win in the end, setting up a championship match between the Crimson and No. 15/- Colgate on Saturday. Harvard now ranks 11th in the Pairwise and can lock up an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament with a win.
“[We've] got a great group of guys, and I think we all want [this run] to go as long as it can,” Vesey said.
—Staff writer Jake Meagher can be reached at jake.meagher@thecrimson.com.