Junior forward Alex Killorn, shown here in earlier action, had a goal in each of Harvard's two games this weekend.

Some say the new year brings new fortune, and that looked like it just might be true for the Harvard men’s hockey team.

After a seven-game losing skid to close out 2010, the Crimson (3-9, 2-7 ECAC Hockey) returned to the ice on Saturday afternoon to defeat Army (5-12-1, 4-6-1 Atlantic Hockey) 4-2 in its first game of the Sheraton/TD Bank Catamount Cup at Gutterson Fieldhouse in Burlington, Vt.

But the triumph would be short-lived, as Harvard was handed another loss by Vermont (3-10-4, 1-6-3 Hockey East) in a 3-1 decision last night.

All three teams have struggled in early season play and were looking to boost the latter part of their schedules with a successful tournament run.

Ohio State won both of its games against Vermont and Army to capture the Sheraton/TD Bank Catamount Cup title. Killorn, who has now registered points in 10 of Harvard’s 12 games, was the lone Crimson player named to the six-member All-Tournament Team.

VERMONT 3, HARVARD 1

The Crimson and the Catamounts share unique common ground—both are coached by two former Harvard hockey captains and teammates: Ted Donato ’91 and Kevin Sneddon ’92, respectively.

But the two squads looked like they may have had more than just coaching in common at the beginning of their matchup Sunday. The first frame was scoreless, with both teams limiting their opponent’s shots—despite two Vermont power plays.

Harvard looked to get on the scoreboard late in the first period and early in the second with dangerous shots from senior Michael Biega and sophomore Marshall Everson, but Catamount junior netminder Rob Madore denied every opportunity.

Just past the game’s halfway mark, Vermont struck with a slap shot that made it past senior Crimson goalie Kyle Richter to put the Catamounts up 1-0. And before the close of the second period senior Vermont defenseman Kyle Medvec added another goal to give his team a two-score margin.

At the beginning of the final frame, Medvec and Catamount freshman Connor Brickley combined to bounce a shot off Richter to bring the score to 3-0.

Amidst some controversial and physical play, a Vermont penalty gave Harvard the man advantage and junior Alex Killorn, Harvard’s leading scorer, put away a slap shot just out of Madore’s reach.

Minutes later it looked like the Catamounts had struck once again, but the late goal was disallowed after video replay revealed Brickley had tripped Richter.

The Crimson tried to recover in an aggressive last few minutes of play, but the effort proved futile, and the game ended in a 3-1 loss.

HARVARD 4, ARMY 2