Harvard turns back Quinnipiac

HAMDEN — Andrew Shortridge took his place between the pipes Saturday night at Perrotti Arena, the second start in two nights for the Quinnipiac junior.

It was a clear sign the kid from Anchorage, Alaska is grabbing hold of the starting job for the nationallyranked Bobcats. Coming off a 24-save night in a victory over Dartmouth, Shortridge earned the start against Harvard while sophomore Keith Petruzzelli — a 2017 third-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings — was on the bench.

The undrafted Shortridge was up the challenge, turning in a nearly flawless performance against the Crimson as he notched 25 saves. Problem was, his counterpart at the other end was better.

Harvard senior Michael Lackey stopped 46 shots shots in a 2-1 victory. Quinnipiac (16-5-1) carried played in throughout the third period, but Harvard put the game away with an empty net by Jack Drury at 2 minutes, 18 seconds left.

The Bobcats broke through when Ethan de Jong beat Lackey with 27 seconds left in the game. It came on Quinnipiac’s 46th shot on goal in the game and the Bobcats would continue to press in the closing seconds.

Ranked sixth in the country, the Bobcats entered the weekend with one win in four games. After a 5-1 victory over Dartmouth, Quinnipiac was looking to seize some momentum.

But Lackey, who was in goal during a 4-2 loss at Princeton Friday night, stood in the way. After stopping 30 shots through two periods — when Harvard took a 1-0 lead — he was under pressure throughout the third period.

Lackey made a stick save on a clear shot from the point by Odeen Tufto midway through the period. When Quinnipiac on the power play with 7:53 left, Lackey stopped a shot by Alex Whelan before stopping de Jong’s attempt off a rebound.

The barrage continued, but Lackey would not relent. Harvard raised it record to 7-5-3.

The shots were even at 13 in the first period, but Harvard had the two best chances.

With 5:22 left in the period, Drury tipped a shot that Shortridge stopped as he dropped to his knees. But the rebound rolled in front and Drury took another shot, a backhander sent toward the open right side of the next.

But Shortridge, sprawling across the crease, made a glove save that brought the crowd to its feet.

It was the save of the night and came against a kid with Connecticut roots. Drury’s father Ted and uncle Chris are Connecticut hockey royalty, products of Trumbull and Fairfield Prep. Both played in the NHL, of course, and Ted road went through Harvard Yard.

Jack Drury grew up in the Chicago area, where Ted — who spent time with the Whalers — raised his family. And the freshman was selected 42nd overall in last summer’s NHL draft by the Carolina Hurricanes, the team formerly known as the Hartford Whalers.

Drury was a threat throughout the first 20 minutes, registering three of Harvard’s 13 shots. But it was defenseman John Marino who finally beat Shortridge on his only shot of the period.

With Harvard on the power play just 70 seconds after Shortridge’s glove save on Drury, Marino one-timed a pass and beat the Quinnipiac goalie inside the left post.

Shortridge made three more saves in the period, including a stop on Jack Donato — son of Harvard coach Ted Donato.

The second period less eventful for Shortridge, who stopped nine shots. Quinnipiac put 17 shots on Lackey, who kept the Bobcats off the scoreboard.

Quinnipiac’s best opportunity came 10 seconds after Harvard killed a penalty. Lackey redirected a cross pass, but Alex Whelan sent a shot on goal and Lackey made the save as he spread across the crease.