Harvard didn't trail for long.
The Crimson wasted no time in silencing the cheering of the fans. Even as the Alexander goal was being announced, junior Andy Janfaza took a Craig Taucher pass 30 feet out in the slot and beat Bulldog goalie John Hyduke low to the stick side, redeeming Benning's error.
After two goals in 19 seconds, the scoring stopped for more than 12 minutes as the teams engaged in a fast, clean, but uneven exchange of play. Finally, MacDonald put home a rebound, with assists going to defensemen Josh Caplan and Don Sweeney.
Four minutes later, with Bulldog Stuie Plante in the penalty box and neither team playing particularly well, the Crimson had the game's only power-play opportunity.
With Bourbeau out, Cleary put big defenseman Chris Biotti in on the first power-play line. After a short shift, Cleary subbed in the second power-play line and put Biotti back on defense.
Just seconds later, Steve Armstrong tipped home a powerful Biotti point shot and it was 3-1, Harvard.
The second period saw no scoring and no penalties, but the Crimson dominated play.
A lucky 13:13 into the final stanza, MacDonald picked up the final goal--and put the game away--when he scored from 10 feet out on a beautiful cross-ice feed from Young.
Many of the questions that surrounded the Crimson have now been resolved. Even without the injured Jerry Pawloski, the defense has been outstanding. And offensively, for the first time in memory, Harvard is generating solid pressure from all four lines.
Most important, perhaps, the goaltending has stood up--and even shone at times. McEvoy picked up his eighth win last night, and junior John Devin goes tonight, with Bourbeau a possible starter at center.
Harvard, 4-1 at Duluth Arena
Harvard (10-0, 9-0 ECAC) 3-0-1--4
UMD (6-9-1, 6-8-1 WCHA) 1-0-0--1
First Period: 1, UMD, Bob Alexander 4 (unassisted) 2:06; 2, H Andy Janfaza 1 (Craig Taucher) 2:25; 3, H, Lane MacDonald 14 (Don Sweeney, Josh Caplan) 14:38; 4, H, Steve Armstrong 4 (Chris Biotti, Ed Krayer) 18:37. Penalties--UMD, Stuie Plante (holding) 17:29.
Second Period: No scoring. Penalties--None.
Third Period: 5, H, MacDonald 15 (C.J. Young) 13:13. Penalties--H, Janfaza (roughing) 14:19; UMD, Guy Gosselin (roughing) 14:19.
Saves--H, Dickie McEvoy 4-2-6--12; UMD, John Hyduke 5-9-6--20
Attendance--5664