Frozen asset for Crimson
The Crimson used goals from three different skaters and another clutch performance from junior Merrick Madsen to turn back Air Force, 3-2, and capture the NCAA East Regional last night in front of 3,708 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
The win sends the region’s No. 1-seeded Crimson (28-5-2) on to the Frozen Four in Chicago on April 6.
This is Harvard’s first trip back to the national semifinals since 1994.
Harvard will face Minnesota-Duluth, the top seed in the West Regional, which defeated Boston University in overtime to advance.
Madsen, who stopped 68-of-70 shots, was named Most Outstanding Performer of the East Regional.
“I can’t deny our goaltender was exceptional and we got it the entire weekend,” said Harvard coach Ted Donato. “It was a tough battle out there, but I think our guys have been forged by the failures of the last few years.”
Third-seeded Air Force (27-10-5) generated early chances with forwards Evan Giesler and Ben Kucera, but couldn’t immediately solve Madsen.
Harvard broke on top at 9:56 as Alexander Kerfoot sent the puck from the right corner out to the far point, where Viktor Dombrovskiy had pinched in. The blueliner accepted the feed and rifled a shot past traffic for a goal.
In the second period, burgeoning Crimson star Ryan Donato down the right side, gave Falcons defenseman Phil Boje an inside-out fake, zoomed around Boje and cut sharply across the goalmouth, sweeping the puck in behind Air Force goalie Shane Starrett. The goal put Harvard’s lead at 2-0 with 12:13 left in the middle period.
It became a three-goal cushion at 9:50 as Kerfoot and Tyler Moy traded cross-ice passes during a power play. Moy one-timed the return feed, catching the inside near post on Starrett.
“All year long we persevered in close games,” said Air Force coach Frank Serratore. “We had looks in the third period. The puck either didn’t get through or Madsen made the save.”
Air Force jumped back to life as the Falcons pumped home a pair of goals within 15 seconds starting at 11:23, when Brady Tomlak tapped in a rebound off a shot by A.J. Reid as Air Force took advantage of using an extra skater while awaiting the whistle on delayed penalty.
Then, while on the power play, Jordan Himley potted a loose puck for his team-best 22nd goal of the season at 11:38 and creating a tense final 20 minutes for the Crimson.
“Obviously, that wasn’t the plan,” said Kerfoot. “That’s hockey. It’s unfortunate. But, I think we did a good job of not panicking and regrouping.”
There was no scoring in the third period. Air Force made a late bid, lifting Starrett for an extra skater with 1:30 to play. But Harvard counterpart Madsen made at least three clutch stops, including a glove save on Reid to secure the Frozen Four berth.
“The better team won tonight,”