The No. 16 Harvard men's hockey team lost its home opener to No. 14 Clarkson by a 5-2 count Friday night at the Bright Hockey Center. It is the first time since the 1994-1995 season that the Crimson has lost its first two games.

The Knights struck first, beating rookie netminder Kyle Richter 9:34 into the first frame, but Harvard freshman Doug Rogers knotted the score three minutes later with a power-play shot from the slot.

Sophomore Steve Rolecek then put the Crimson up 2-1 less than five minutes into the second frame, but from there on out, it was Clarkson's game.

The Knights scored four unanswered goals, including a shorthander for the game-winner.

"They had numerous grade-A chances," said Harvard coach Ted Donato '91, adding, "the first three goals they got, we were in complete possession of the puck before they scored."

Richter finished the evening with 29 saves, including 11 when the Crimson was skating on the penalty kill.

"He had a lot of traffic," Donato said. "It wasn't the ideal situation to throw a freshman goaltender into."

Harvard returns to the Bright Hockey Center on Saturday night for a 7 p.m. contest against St. Lawrence.