Fontaine scores in OT to lift Northeastern past Harvard 3-2
Northeastern left wing Gunnarwolfe Fontaine is building a Beanpot legacy in overtime games against Harvard.
The senior from East Greenwich, R.I., finished a give and go with Justin Hryckowian 33 seconds into the three-on-three to lift the Huskies to a 3-2 victory over the Crimson in the opener of the 71st Beanpot on Monday night at the TD Garden.
The Huskies have won four of the last five Beanpots and will defend their title against the winner of the Boston College versus Boston University semifinal next Monday night. Fontaine scored two goals in regulation in last year’s 2-2, 1-0, shootout victory over Harvard in the title game.
NU improved to 12-12-2 while Harvard fell to 4-143.
“I’m really just focusing on team and winning two Beanpots would be the best thing for me,” said Fontaine. “When you get the chance to hold that trophy over your head with your teammates and I really want that now. When you get to the Garden and the lights are on it is really special.”
NU entered the Beanpot riding its only hot streak of the season. The Huskies had won four straight that included a 4-3 overtime victory against No. 3 BU on Jan. 30 and a 6-3 beatdown of No. 6 Maine on Friday night. Both games were played at Matthews Arena.
“We have been able to string some wins together so our group is feeling pretty confident right now,” said NU head coach Jerry Keefe. “We have won different ways and we scored six the last game so I feel that this group has a little confidence so when they step on the ice we expect to win.”
NU opened the scoring with the textbook definition of breakout hockey. Huskies’ captain Justin Hryckowian forced a turnover and began the surge with a short diagonal pass Alex Campbell at the NU blue line. Campbell made a straight rush up the right boards and cruised unopposed into the Harvard zone.
Campbell crossed up Harvard defenseman Ryan
Healey at the top of the right circle, cut laterally through the slot and fired a wrister that beat Harvard goalie Derek Mullahy (35 saves) stick side for his 15th of the season. NU exited the first with a 15-7 advantage in shots on goal.
“He is a hell of a player and I am super lucky to have him on my line,” said Hryckowian, who finished with a goal and two assists. “You saw his speed and skill on display there so I got him the puck, got out of the way and he did the rest.”
NU goalie Cameron Whitehead (21 saves) lost his stick during a scrum in front of the net and Harvard tied the game 1-1 at 2:53 of the second period. Freshman Ben MacDonald collected the puck behind the NU cage, skated the circular route to the high slot and fired a wrist shot through a screen and between Whitehead’s between the pads for his fourth of the season.
Whitehead made amends when he stoned Healy on a penalty shot at 7:32. Northeastern led Harvard 22-17 in shots on goal after two.
“The penalty shot was huge to make that save and he did,” said Keefe. “He made a huge save against a really good player and our team has so much confidence in him.”
The Crimson had just killed off an NU power play when freshman Matthew Morden put Harvard up 2-1 at 4:19 of the third. Jack Bar made a slide pass along the blue line to Morden, who one timed a slapper through a screen that eluded Whitehead for the first tally of his collegiate career.
NU tied the game 2-2 at 10:43 on an alert play by Hryckowian in front of the Harvard crease. Dylan Hryckowian got the puck to sophomore defenseman Vinny Borgesi, who sent a slap through screen that was saved by Mullahy. Justin Hryckowian corralled the rebound and back handed into the exposed half of the net for his seventh of the season.
Mullahy stood up under an intense flurry in the final minute of regulation to force the overtime. NU had a 37-23 advantage in shoots on goal after regulation.
“I thought looked in control all game long,” said Harvard coach Ted Donato. “Obviously at the end we made it a little bit more hectic than we would have liked and I thought he played with a confidence and a calm.”