Box Score

HAMILTON, N.Y. (2/29/08) - Both Colgate and No. 20 Harvard earned a point in the ECAC Hockey standings as the teams skated to a 3-3 tie on Friday, Feb. 29, at Starr Rink. The Raiders, who stand at 14-13-6 overall and 8-8-5 in league play, will host a first-round series as the sixth, seventh, or eighth seeds. The Crimson, who have a 13-11-4 overall mark and 11-7-3 record in ECAC Hockey, can clinch a first-round bye with a win or tie at Cornell on Saturday.

The Raiders took a 1-0 lead 14:15 into the first period. Sophomore Ethan Cox (Richmond, B.C.) intercepted a pass at the blue line, skated in on net, and roofed the puck, beating Harvard sophomore goalie Kyle Richter short-side.

Just 96 seconds into the second period, Harvard tied things up. Freshman Michael Biega sent the puck to senior Paul Dufault, who put a shot on net along the ice and beat Colgate senior netminder Mark Dekanich (North Vancouver, B.C.), five-hole.

The Crimson took a 2-1 lead less than six minutes later. Freshman Pier-Olivier Michaud won a faceoff to Dekanich's left back to sophomore Alex Biega at the right point. Biega used a quick shot to score over Dekanich's glove.

The Raiders answered at the 12:22 mark. Senior Ben Camper (Rocky River, Ohio) dug the puck out of the left corner and threw it toward the net. Junior Tom Riley (Ottawa, Ont.) couldn't control, but the biscuit ended up on the stick of sophomore David McIntyre (Pefferlaw, Ont.). McIntyre spun around and fired a low shot into the net.

Colgate gained a 3-2 lead 4:22 into the third period. Harvard was trying to clear the puck out of its own end, but senior Dustin Gillanders (Kyle, Sask.) intercepted a pass at the blue line. He centered it to classmate Mike Werner (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.) who was streaking down the middle, and Werner beat Richter with a low shot on the short side.

The game-tying goal came at the 11:52 mark on a Crimson power play. Harvard freshman Michael Biega sent a pass to sophomore Doug Rogers, and he caught the puck in his skates. Rogers kicked it onto his stick, and, while Dekanich was sliding the other way, slipped it into the open net.

Dekanich finished the game with 26 saves as the Crimson edge Colgate 29-28 on shots. Richter posted 25 stops on the night, including four during the overtime period. The Raiders earned the advantage on faceoffs, 37-28.

Colgate is back at Starr Rink on Saturday, Mar. 1, to take on Dartmouth at 4:00 p.m. The Raiders will honor their eight seniors prior to the game. Fans can purchase tickets by calling (315) 228-7600.