Harvard 3 - Dartmouth 2 (OT)

By Dave Sherzer

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. - There's a first time for everything.

Harvard center Dominic Moore took a pass from linemate Tom Pettit and netted a goal at 1:32 of overtime, giving the Crimson a 3-2 win Sunday afternoon in the ECAC consolation game before a sleepy gathering at 1980 Olympic Rink and handing Dartmouth its first loss in nine trips to overtime this season.

The defeat, coming in the Big Green's third game in three days, ended Dartmouth's season in disappointing fashion, but didn't dim the pride the coach or players had in what they accomplished this season - and what they think they can accomplish in the near future.

"We worked awfully hard this weekend," said head coach Bob Gaudet, who led Dartmouth to its first trip to Lake Placid since 1980. "The guys gave everything they had today. We worked hard and had opportunities, but it's just one of those things.

"I'm proud of our guys. I thought they gave a great effort in a game that's really difficult to play in."

After falling behind twice, the Big Green nearly won the game with six minutes to play when Pete Summerfelt banged the puck into an empty net after Harvard goalie Oliver Jonas had failed to cover up. Heartbeats earlier, referee Dan Murphy had whistled the play dead, negating the goal.

Either way, Dartmouth's three seniors - forwards Michael Byrne and Peter Mahler, and defenseman Dory Tisdale - were proud of what the Big Green achieved during their careers.

They entered the program along with Gaudet, and saw the team go from failing to make the playoffs their first two years to battling all the way to the ECAC semifinals as seniors.

"We've had a lot of bumps in the road over the course of my four years," said Mahler, who finishes his career with nine goals and 20 points in 94 games. "We didn't make the playoffs the first few years and then lost last year in the first round to RPI, but this year has been awesome.

"Coach Gaudet has done so much for the program. I can't say enough about what he's done. And it's just going to keep getting better."

Harvard coach Mark Mazzoleni, who bids farewell to six seniors - including goalie Oliver Jonas - also had nice things to say about Dartmouth, which blew out the Crimson, 7-0, back on Feb. 9.

"I'm very impressed with their team," the second-year coach said. "I take my hat off to them. I told Bob Gaudet when I shook his hand that I'm going to pick them first next year."

It took Harvard nine minutes to take its first shot, but the Crimson owned the next five minutes thanks to three Dartmouth penalties.

Harvard opened the scoring at 9:06 of the period when rookie Dennis Packard deflected an Aaron Kim shot from the point past goaltender Nick Boucher (33 saves) for his third of the year. Packard's goal, also assisted by Tyler Kolarik, came on the power play.

Minutes later, the Big Green passed its biggest test of the opening 20 minutes - a Harvard 5-on-3 chance - and the period ended with Dartmouth holding an 12-11 shots advantage.

The teams traded goals in the middle frame, as the Big Green tied it before Harvard responded minutes later.

Dartmouth made it 1-1 at the 9:30 mark. Skating along the boards, Michael Byrne centered the puck to a waiting Jamie Herrington, who one-timed it past Jonas (32 saves) for his seventh of the year. Freshman Jason Costa also assisted the goal.

The deadlock was short-lived, however, as the Crimson took advantage of a turnover in the Dartmouth zone to reclaim its one-goal lead. Kolarik recorded the goal, punching his 13th of the season past Boucher after a pass from Packard.

Midway through the third stanza, the Big Green had a 5-on-3 power play, and promptly knotted the game at two when Summerfelt shot the puck from the blueline, and right winger Mike Murray tapped it in for his seventh goal of the year. Kent Gillings also earned a helper on the goal.

Dartmouth nearly took its first lead of the game minutes later when Summerfelt punched in an apparent goal, but Murphy's quick whistle set the stage for overtime.

The Big Green took one unsuccessful shot in the extra session before Moore fired his 15th of the season past Boucher, ending both teams' seasons.

"I'm very proud of the way our guys performed," Gaudet said. "I'm very proud of the statement they made for our program. We let people know that we mean business. We didn't do it this year, but I think you have to get here in order to be able to win it in the future. You have to experience it."

Oddly enough, Dartmouth's 2001-02 campaign will begin with two games against Harvard in early November, according to a look at the tentative schedule.