Seniors proudly exit stage
Donato honors departing players
CHICAGO — The emotions were still raw in the early moments after Harvard’s stellar season had come crashing to an end with Minnesota-Duluth’s dramatic game-winning goal with 26.6 seconds to play in last night’s 2-1 defeat at the United Center.
Even the shock of surrendering the late goal couldn’t entirely deter the Crimson bench, which watched senior Sean Malone strike the crossbar with under four seconds left and senior
Luke Esposito hit the right pipe with the rebound with 2.9 seconds remaining.
It mirrored the disappointment Boston College felt in 2006 when defenseman Peter Harrold hit the right post dead-on with one second left in a 2-1 loss to Wisconsin in the title game.
But for Harvard co-captains Alexander Kerfoot and
Devin Tringale of Medford, the honor they and their fellow seniors felt in pulling on the Harvard jersey provided solace enough.
“Obviously, every time we put on the jersey we want to give our best out there,” said Tringale. “I think the program is in good hands. The guys coming back are really competitive and hardworking group. I know they will take this loss and keep it with them all summer and train really hard and push the envelope even more next year.
“The program is on the upswing and it’s going to keep in that direction. So, I think the program is in good hands. ... It’s been an absolute honor to wear a Harvard jersey the past four years.”
Kerfoot, who was a Hobey Baker finalist, should have more hockey in the near future as a New Jersey Devils draft pick.
“I’d reiterate that. I mean, we’re incredibly proud to play for Harvard,” Kerfoot said. “We’re proud of everything that comes with the school, the academics, just the school spirit and being part of the Harvard community. Obviously, the Harvard hockey program, you see where it’s come the last couple of years, the last four, five years under the coaching staff.”
Coach Ted Donato, a member of Harvard’s 1989 NCAA champs, dearly wanted this senior group to have the same experience he enjoyed as a Crimson skater all those years ago.
“It’s really tough to swallow right now because these guys have really given their all, all year, not only of themselves, but to their teammates,” said Donato about his seven seniors. “And I think this will be an incredibly special group in my mind forever.”’
Four score for Hub
Boston is expected to be named a host site for an upcoming Frozen Four when the NCAA Site Selection Committee awards its next four venues on April 18, the Herald has learned.
The bids to be awarded are for the years 2019 through 2022. The respective cities are believed to be Detroit, Buffalo, Boston and Pittsburgh. Next year’s event will be held in St. Paul, Minn.
Los Angeles has also been rumored to be in the mix and could possibly bump one of the candidates at the last instant, although Boston’s place in the rotation is believed to be safe.
The Garden last hosted a Frozen Four in 2015 when Providence College beat Boston University, 4-3.
Bjork soon a Bruin?
The Bruins hierarchy has been checking off its lists like a youngster at Christmas time as college
prospects like Boston University standouts Charlie
McAvoy and Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson enter the fold as early professional signees.
One name that has also been mentioned prominently is Notre Dame junior
Anders Bjork, who played in last night’s national semifinal against top-seeded Denver.
When asked if the recent B’s signings has caused him to rush his decision once the current Irish season concludes, Bjork said, “Not really. I haven’t really been thinking about that, just kind of focusing on Notre Dame and this team and doing the best that we can and hoping to have continued success. So, yeah, I haven’t really thought much about that, sorry.”
Bjork was selected by the Bruins in the fifth round (No. 146 overall) in the 2014 NHL draft. This year, Bjork has enjoyed a breakout season, becoming only the second player to be named a finalist for both the Hobey Baker Award and the Hockey Humanitarian Award in the same season.
He came into last night pacing the Fighting Irish in points (52) and assists (31) and shared the team lead in goals (21) with sophomore forward