Harvard knocks off Yale 3-2 to lead best-of-three ECAC quarterfinals

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Tied 2-2 with under three minutes left in regulation, Harvard’s top line led a breakaway that ended with Alexander Kerfoot setting up Jimmy Vesey for the game-winning blast to give the 18th-ranked Crimson a one-game edge on archrival Yale in the best-of-three ECAC quarterfinal matchup.

The victory ends a 10-game winless streak to Yale, which is ranked No.

12. The victory marks the first time since Jan. 29, 2005, the Crimson have come away the winning team at Ingalls Rink. The last Harvard win against Yale came in the 2012 ECAC Hockey playoffs, when an 8-2 win in the quarterfinals knocked the Bulldogs out of the postseason that year. Harvard is now 5-1 all-time when playing Yale in the ECAC quarterfinals and 9-3 overall in the playoffs.

Defense reigned supreme in the opening period, with Harvard goaltender Steve Michalek making eight saves and Yale’s Alex Lyon turning away 10 shots to keep the game scoreless. Harvard’s quality scoring opportunities outnumbered the Bulldogs, as Colin Blackwell, Tyler Moy and Kerfoot all had clean looks at the Yale goal, but were unable to find the back of the net. Yale’s best chances came on the period’s only power play midway through, but Michalek stopped all three shots that made it to the goal.