While Jonas turned in a solid performance for the Crimson, making 37 saves, Lombard struggled in his first game back from a punctured lung and cracked rib. The Yale netminder allowed five goals despite facing only 26 shots.

Taylor said the injury did not affect Lombard's performance.

"He was ready to play," Taylor said. "You can't blame anything on how he felt, but clearly we need more saves to be made.

The game started ominously for the Crimson. Harvard knew it would have to contain Hamilton to prevail in the series, and his opening goal at 5:55 was not a good sign. But the Crimson--thanks largely to the strong defensive effort of Steve Moore--would hold Hamilton scoreless for the rest of the game.

The star forward's goal would be the 80th--and last--of his remarkable career. He graduates as the Bulldog's all-time leading scorer.

Yale's lead was short-lived. First period goals by Pettit and Steve Moore would give the Crimson a 2-1 at intermission.

The second period was dominated by the ever-present whistle of referee Dan Murphy. The teams were whistled for a combined seven penalties in the period, an event which would have appeared to work in Yale's favor, given their superior special-teams play late in the season.

Fortunately for Harvard, the penalty kill unit--a strength of the team all year--was again up to the task. Yale finished only one for seven on the power play, and failed to even produce a quality shot on a crucial 1:39 five-on-three advantage midway through the second period.