BOSTON – Exhibition games can be difficult to evaluate, with expanded lineups, rotating goaltenders, and results that do not count toward the standing. Still, those factors do not excuse No. 17/20 Northeastern’s performance in its 4-1 loss to Harvard.
“I did not like what we saw,” said Northeastern head coach Jerry Keefe, “Harvard’s got some skill, they’re good in transition, and I just thought this would be a good test for us to get ready for [Boston College].”
Northeastern struggled to find a solution for Harvard’s transition, as the Crimson disrupted the Huskies’ entries and held them without a shot for long stretches, including the first 12 minutes of the game.
Harvard’s first goal was the result of an impressive effort by junior defenseman Lucas St. Louis to keep the play in the offensive zone. The Crimson continued to move the puck until a shot from sophomore defender Matthew Biotti was tipped in front by junior forward Justin Solovey.
Harvard extended its lead on the power play after freshman forward Dawson Sharkey was assessed a charging minor. Sophomore forward Heikki Ruohonen located sophomore forward Aidan Lane, who scored on a one-timer from the left circle.
Northeastern’s lone goal came just seconds after their second powerplay expired. Sophomore forward Giacomo Martino set up sophomore forward Jack Pechar with a wide open look, before Pechar rifled a shot past the glove of junior goaltender Ben Charette to cut Harvard’s lead to 2-1 before the end of the period.
The Huskies struggled to carry any positive momentum into the second frame, as they got off to another slow start. Northeastern went 11 minutes before recording its first shot on goal of the period.
Northeastern finally showed signs of life during a 4-on-4, which saw Solovey and freshman defender Noah Laberge serving matching minor penalties. Unfortunately for the Huskies, that momentum was short-lived, as junior defender Sean Keohane scored on a one-timer from the blue line.
Harvard put the game out of reach in the third period with another one-timer, this time from the right circle off the stick of junior forward Mick Thompson, in a goal nearly identical to Lane’s power-play goal in the first period.
“We looked like we knew it was an exhibition game,” Keefe said, “we didn’t have it.”
Fortunately for Northeastern, the result will not affect its NPI ranking. However, the Huskies have plenty to address before heading to Boston College for a back-to-back series next weekend.
The Huskies are back in action on Friday, October 30, with a 7:00 p.m. matchup against Boston College. WRBB will provide more updates regarding coverage soon.
Kabir Singh is a third-year student at Northeastern University. He is a hockey writer and broadcaster for WRBB Sports. Read all his articles here.