I'll be honest. I did not expect Harvard to win tonight. It's not because they don;t have the talent, but because BU is loaded and this tourney is the BU invitational.
I never could have predicted the performance from Harvard. Other than when BU scored the two goals early in the second - that was the only time I ever felt that BU had any control of this game. Harvard just dominated all 200 feet and BU was forced to the perimeter and to take penalties all night. Harvard consistently took it to the net and won most of the puck battles in the corners and along the walls. Quite simply - Harvard wanted it way more.
I thought Donato was far and away the best and most dangerous skater on the ice all night - which says a lot given the competition. I thought Harvard played its game and everyone played his role.
A real statement win against a real solid BU team. Doing it on a big stage with a lot of pressure has to give this Harvard team confidence as it prepares for the back-end of the schedule, starting with a rivalry game at the House of Horrors (otherwise known as Ingalls Rink). Let's hope that this is the beginning of some more hardware.
It stopped being the BU invitational years ago. Now, if Northeastern can follow up on Harvard winning...can only help. Is there any chance at all this Harvard win helps increase future Harvard Beanpot crowds?