BOSTON — For Harvard, Tuesday evening’s Beanpot championship game against undefeated Boston College wasn’t just a chance to meet one of their season-long goals of a tournament title.
It was also a chance to show how far they’ve come since a 10-2 loss to the Eagles in late November.
How far have the Crimson come? Far enough to end a record-setting season for BC.
Miye D’Oench’s second period power-play goal lifted the No. 4 Crimson (19-4-2) over the previously unbeaten No. 1 Eagles, 3-2, giving Harvard its first Beanpot championship since 2010.
“That was one of our worst games of the year when we lost to them earlier this season, so to bounce back from that sends a message, and that was huge for us,” said D’Oench postgame. “Then, beating an undefeated team obviously sends a message to ourselves and everybody else that we can go all the way.”
Tuesday’s game started out much like the November game Harvard was so eager to erase the memory of with a quick Boston College goal. On the receiving end of a pass from Emily Field, Andie Anastos got off a high shot from the left point to get the Eagles on the board just 1:35 into the game.
Harvard refused to let BC (27-1-1) sit long with the lead. Eight minutes later, Lexie Laing came in strong up the middle and shot on Eagles’ goaltender Katie Burt, who made a save. Karly Heffernan picked up the rebound and Mary Parker dished it in to even the game for the Crimson, 1-1.
A Kaliya Johnson hooking call four minutes into the second period spurred on a flurry of Harvard opportunities, even after the man-advantage drew to a close. Burt made flashy saves on sure shots from both D’Oench and Kailey Armstrong.
Once BC pushed play into the Harvard zone, Haley Skarupa picked up a deflected clear to come in alone on Crimson goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer to put the Eagles up 2-1.
According to Harvard coach Katey Stone, the Skarupa goal incensed the Crimson.
“It really woke us up and ticked us off,” said Stone.
The Crimson used that anger to answer quickly. Just over a minute later, Laing picked up the puck off the boards and found Karly Heffernan out in front of the net. She sent a slapper past Burt to tie the game again.
Soon, physicality began to rule the ice, and Alex Carpenter checked Lydnsey Fry hard into the boards to earn herself a five-minute major. Carpenter, who had taken only four penalties the entire season going into Tuesday’s game, found herself unusually out of the action.
“It’s tough when Alex Carpenter gets a five-minute major,” said BC coach Katie King Crowley. “I don’t think she sits on the bench for five minutes all game.”
The Crimson capitalized, with Sarah Edney picking up a bouncing puck from the wall, forcing it to Parker, who slid it over to D’Oench for the power-play game-winner 11:54 into the second.
Harvard had the better opportunities as the middle frame drew to a close, but BC’s Emily Pfalzer and Tori Sullivan jumped in to block shots and muddle up Crimson passes.
Two solid Harvard chances opened the third period, but the Eagles stepped up and pressured shooters to the outside. The ice soon tilted in BC’s direction, as the Eagles played the puck possession game that ruled their 28 other games this season.
“They are a high possession team,” said Stone. “They like for you to stand around and watch them play, so they can pick you apart.”
Stone’s Crimson had answers for the dominance, and they began and ended with Maschmeyer. Several surefire BC shots were just barely swallowed up by Maschmeyer, and her teammates helped by blocking and getting their sticks on several shots.
Frustrated, BC pulled Burt and called a timeout with just under a minute remaining. When play resumed, they sent skaters crashing towards the Crimson net, but Maschmeyer held steady. In the mess of skaters in front of the net, Lexi Bender was called for interference, effectively ending BC’s comeback bid.
Maschmeyer finished the evening with 30 saves, and her composure earned her both the Bertagna Award for top Beanpot goaltender and the tournament’s MVP honor. In her first career Beanpot championship, Burt stopped 14 shots.
The quest for a perfect season may have ended for the Eagles, but King Crowley still is hoping the disappointment might be helpful.
“I was really proud of the way they handled that streak,” said a thoughtful King Crowley. “I was proud with how we handled that pressure. Learning what a loss feels like, I hope it helps us in the future.”
D’Oench sees Tuesday’s result definitely helping her Harvard team as the regular season draws to a close.
“Hockey is a game of momentum,” D’Oench said. “I think we’re definitely on the upswing and we’re peaking at the right time.”
