The first semifinal matchup showcases the pesky Eagles against the formidable Crimson.
No. 8 Harvard (15-6-1, 13-4-0 ECAC) is 7-3-0 since Jan. 1, falling 3-0 to No. 2 Quinnipiac at home last time out on Friday. Against Beanpot teams, Harvard is 1-1-0 with a 4-3 overtime loss to BU on Dec. 29 and an 8-4 win over Northeastern on Jan. 1. Individually, Sean Farrell and Alex Laferriere (13-24–27) have taken off this season, while the team’s top goal-scorer, Matthew Coronato (14-11–25), and top defenseman, Henry Thrun (5-18–23) are each point per game players as well. In goal, Mitchell Gibson remains solid.
As for BC (9-10-6, 5-7-5 HEA), they’re 2-4-1 since the new year, settling for a tie with No. 15 UMass Lowell on Friday before taking the extra point in the shootout. The Eagles are yet to face Harvard this year. Against Northeastern they’re 1-1-2 with a 2-1 loss on Jan. 31, and against BU, they’re 1-2-0, winning a 9-6 barn-burner in December before suffering a sweep last weekend. Phenom Cutter Gauthier has led the way, while veterans Nikita Nesterenko (5-16–21) and Trevor Kuntar (9-10–19) have added complementary production. Graduate Mitch Benson has taken the bulk of the workload as the starter.
Here’s how the Eagles and Crimson compare, by the numbers:
| Harvard | STAT | Boston CoL. |
|---|---|---|
| (15-6-1 (13-4-0 ECAC) | Record | 9-10-6 (5-7-5 HEA) |
| No. 8 | Current Ranking | Receiving votes |
| First round | 2022 NCAA tournament | Did not qualify |
| 79 | Goals scored | 67 |
| 3.6 | Goals per game | 2.7 |
| 53 | Goals allowed | 71 |
| 2.4 | Goals allowed per game | 2.8 |
| 21.3% | Power play | 23.2% |
| 85.5% | Penalty kill | 78.7% |
| Sean Farrell, 34 points (12 goals, 22 assists) | Top scorer | Cutter Gauthier, 23 points (13 goals, 10 assists) |
| Mitchell Gibson, 9-5-1 (.919 save percentage, 2.24 GAA, 1 SO) |
Top goaltender | Mitch Benson, 9-10-6 (.903 save percentage, 2.71 GAA, 1 SO) |
