Harvard Gets Past UConn

Boxscore

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Juniors Sarah Vaillancourt and Jenny Brine each scored even-strength goals in the final seven minutes, and sophomore goaltender Christina Kessler registered her fourth shutout of the season, as No. 2 Harvard defeated No. 10 Connecticut, 2-0, on Friday evening at Bright Hockey Center.

Valliancourt and Brine also added assists to help the Crimson (10-0-0, 10-0-0 ECAC Hockey League) remain the nation's only unbeaten, untied team.  Freshman Liza Ryabkina registered assists two assists on the night.

The only other Crimson team to win its first ten games was the 2003-04 squad, which won its first 11 games and was undefeated (13-0-1) in its first 11 games and was undefeated (13-0-1) in its first 14 en route to a 30-4-1 record and an appearance in the NCAA Championship final.

Kessler earned her second straight shutout and improves to 9-0-0 this season.  She lowered her goals against average to 0.89 and improved her nation-best save percentage to .959.

"Christina (Kessler) made great saves when she needed to tonight," Harvard head coach Katey Stone said.  "She is in full command of her position."

Connecticut (11-4-1, 4-2-1 Hockey East) and Harvard played two scoreless periods, but each team had their chances in the first with both squads earning two power plays in the opening 20 minutes.

Midway through the first, Brine had a quality scoring opportunity on a pass from Caitlin Cahow to the left side of the net, but UConn goalie Jennie Bellonio made one of her 40 saves on the night to prevent a goal. 

At 17:45 of the first, Harvard sophomore forward Anna McDonald was called for a game misconduct for hitting from behind, giving UConn a five-minute power play that lasted into the second period.

The Crimson killed off McDonald's major penalty in the second stanza, and neither team could get on the scoreboard as play moved into the third.

With 7:07 remaining on the clock, Ryabkina flipped the puck to Brine deep in the UConn zone.  Brine took a shot that rebounded to the left side of the net, where Vaillancourt found it and scored on a shot between the Bellonio's left skate and the post.  Vaillancourt now leads the Crimson with eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points.

Harvard added their second goal of the night four minutes later, as Brine found the back of the net for her fifth goal of the season.

The Crimson has now won 11 consecutive home games dating back to last season, and has beaten three top-10 teams this year.

"We beat a solid team tonight, and I'm very happy with our effort in the third period," Stone explained.

Harvard had a 42-14 advantage in shots for the game, including 15-3 in the first period. The Crimson was 0 for 4 on the power play, while the Huskies were 0 for 3.  Harvard has now killed 38 of 43 opponent power plays this season (.884). 

Harvard will face Providence in another non-league contest on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Schneider Arena in Providence, R.I.