Cambridge, Mass. –Another chapter in the storied rivalry of Yale and Harvard was written on Saturday night as 2575 watched an entertaining contest between two good teams. Alex Lyon and Steve Michalek put on a show for much of the game. The teams went into the third period scoreless, but the period would see three goals. Ryan Obuchowski opened the scoring on a weird play from the side wall that found its way into the net at six minutes, 48 seconds of the third period. Yale would add an empty netter late in the third, but Harvard responded with 17 seconds to go in the game to make for an entertaining final moments. Despite a chance to tie, Alex Lyon and his Bulldogs held on for the 2-1 road win, which finished the weekend sweep of Dartmouth and Harvard.

With the win, Yale improves to 3-1-2 overall, and 2-1-1 in the ECAC. Harvard was handed its first loss of the season and its record drops to 3-1-2, 2-1-2. Harvard drops to third place in the ECAC, while Yale moves up to fifth in the conference.

What I Saw

• Yale looked the part of a good team this weekend. It weathered the storm of Harvard on this night, as the Crimson controlled play at times. As was the case last night it dominated its opponent in key situations that made the difference in the game. Harvard did not take a bad penalty, but tonight the Elis were patient and never frustrated despite many glorious. The grittier team won the chess match, but the game was entertaining and about as even as can be.
• Harvard, despite dropping the decision, played really well. It has looked great in the early going and a loss does not change the way they have been playing. For them keeping it together will be very important. The start is already better than the starts of the last couple years and it will only help going forward. Harvard has picked up points in four of its first contests and sits in third place in the early going, with six points.
• Both goalies played fantastic and it seemed like a battle to one, which it ultimately became despite the 2-1 scoreline. The team that scored first was going to win the game, which was Yale. Lyon is positionally gifted as a goalie and Michalek did a great job of not making a mistake in the Harvard net. Ultimately neither got the shutout, which was a shame. Lyon played a tad better and deserved the win, he also took home the inaugural Tim Taylor award.

What I Thought

• Both Yale and Harvard are going to be fighting for byes, if not the title at the end of the season. Both teams react well in crucial moments of the game and both have the pace of a good teams. Yale works from the net out, as Alex Lyon is absolute stud between the pipes. It also has the defense to go along with it, as Harvard had very few great opportunities in front of him and when the did Lyon saw it. Harvard has the deadly top line, which again showed life in scoring a goal tonight. Tonight, both teams showed the grit and mentality to be good hockey teams.
• Yale looks like a different team than it did at this point last season. The National Title hangover is clearly over for the Bulldogs. Last season, Yale struggled to gain consistency but this season, the Bulldogs have won back to back game quickly within the league. Sweeping on the road in the ECAC is very difficult but sweeping two really good teams on the ECAC is next to impossible, but Yale accomplished that. Yale just outwit both opponents on the weekend and with great goaltending it will be a contender, it has the best goaltender in the league in my mind.
• Harvard with goaltending is a scary thought and tonight it received it. Steve Michalek has been inconsistent in his career, but this season he has looked pretty good. Tonight he was clearly at the top of his game. Harvard has a decent defense to go along. This game was just a preview to what Harvard can accomplish, as it is improving every game and gave a team it normally struggles against a run for its money.

What They Said

Yale coach Keith Allain said,

“It is really hard to sweep in this league and even harder to sweep on the road. We played a good game last night and we were kind of undermanned tonight. I like the way our guys pulled together and responded. It was nice to see.”

“There is not a single guy’s performance I am not happy about. I thought the whole team played really well.”

Harvard coach Ted Donato said,

“We played hard but the result is disappointing. The game was pretty well played by both teams with not a lot of mistakes. In those type of games it doesnt take much. They made a play. Our guys battled, though, and pushed all the way to the end.”

“As a team that wants to improve moving forward, it is a good learning experience  for us to be a in a tight, close game against a very smart, strong team. Their defense is very intelligent with the puck and strong down low. Their goaltender was excellent. Our game was good and I will give Yale a lot of credit.”

What Else You Should Know

Harvard will have a quick turnaround and will play travel partner, Dartmouth, on Tuesday. In its lone game against Dartmouth this season, the Crimson came back from a deficit to tie at home.

Yale will continue its four game road swing next weekend, as it travels Ivy rival, Cornell on Friday. Cornell has struggled this season and dropped a decision to St. Lawrence on Saturday night.

Yale took out John Hayden after warmups, as he was in the original lineup handed to the media. It moved Matt Killian from defense to forward. Hayden was elbowed late in the Dartmouth game on Friday night. His status is not known, but it is believed to be precautionary. Nick Weberg was also out of the lineup tonight.

Sunday, November 16th, 2014 - 1:45 am | Blogs, ECAC, Notes, Thoughts, Ramblings