Harvard Bests No. 13 Boston College In Shootout in First Beanpot Game at T.D. Garden
BOSTON, Mass. – Harvard women's ice hockey made history in its 2024 Women's Beanpot consolation contest, besting No. 13 Boston College in the first ever collegiate women's ice hockey game at the famous TD Garden. Both teams scored two goals in regulation, but it was Gabi Davidson Adams who recorded the winning goal in the shootout to seal the victory for the Crimson.
In her second career start between the posts, goalkeeper Emily Davidson orchestrated a stellar showing under the lights at the Beanpot. The Ottawa, Ontario native stopped a career-high 39 shots, blanking the Eagles in the pivotal shootout.
After Boston College took the lead in the first period, Harvard evened the score with a goal from Eva Dorr in the middle of the second period, as the Pittsburgh, Pa. native netted her second goal of the season in the Beanpot consolation round and the program's first ever goal at TD Garden.
Harvard took the lead in the third period as Rose O'Connor spotted Sophie Ensley for a shorthanded goal on the breakaway. The strike was Ensley's second goal of the season, as O'Connor logged the second assist of her Crimson career.
The Eagles equalized late in the third period, as Sammy Taber scored the game-tying goal, sending the contest into overtime.
Davidson Adams rose to the occasion in the shootout, converting to put the Crimson in the driver seat during the shootout. Davidson secured the victory for Harvard, stopping Julia Pellerin's final attempt.
Harvard's attack was excellent against Boston College, recording a season-high 49 shots on goal. Davidson logged a .955 save percentage against the Eagles, a single-game career high.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Both sides played free flowing hockey in the first period, maintaining possession and crafting scoring chances.
- Davidson was strong in the beginning of her second career start, stifling the Boston College (13-7-5, 12-3-3 Hockey East) attack with four saves in the opening ten minutes of the first period.
- Boston College took the initial lead in the final four minutes of the first period, as Sidney Fess scored on a pass from Molly Jordan.
- Despite being held scoreless in the first half, Harvard's (4-15-2, 2-11-1 ECAC) attack manufactured 13 shots on goal at the end of the first period compared to Boston College's 11.
- The start of the second period saw Harvard applying more pressure, tallying five more shots on goal in the first five minutes of the frame.
- On its 20th shot on goal of the game, the Crimson capitalized, as Dorr slotted a loose puck home to even the score at one.
- Harvard dominated the second half, setting a season-high in shots on goal in a period with 18.
- With ten minutes to go in the game, Harvard took the lead with a goal while Boston College was on the power play.
- O'Connor controlled the puck in the defensive zone and launched a pass to Ensley, setting up a breakaway opportunity.
- Ensley's shot deflected off the cross bar and past the goal line, giving the Crimson the lead down a player.
- The Eagles sent the game to overtime in the final two minutes of the game, as Taber found the back of the net.
- Neither side scored a winner in the five-minute overtime period, sending the first collegiate women's hockey game at TD Garden to a shootout.
- Harvard and Boston College faced strong goalkeeping in the shootout, missing their first three shots of the shootout.
- On Harvard's fourth attempt in the shootout, Davidson Adams try was successful, providing Davidson a chance to end the game with a save.
- Davidson ended her career day on a high, stopping Boston College's shot, securing the shootout win for the Crimson.
HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS:
- Harvard won a shootout against No. 13 Boston College in the first ever collegiate women's ice hockey game at TD Garden.
- The Crimson recorded a season-high 49 shots on goal against the Eagles.
- In just her second career start, Davidson set single-game career highs in saves (39) and save-percentage (.955).
- Dorr and Ensley each logged their second goals of the season.
- The Crimson own a 51-36-2 record all-time in the Beanpot. Harvard is also 7-6-2 in the Beanpot consolation round.
UP NEXT: The Crimson hit the road this weekend, heading to upstate New York for a pair of contests against No. 4 Colgate and No. 6 Cornell. The Crimson take on the Raiders at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26, with the matchup against the Big Red taking place the next day at 3 p.m. Crimson fans can catch both games live on ESPN+.