Box Score

ITHACA, N.Y. – Freshman forward John Knisley scored his first collegiate goal, but Harvard answered just 32 seconds later before skating away for a 4-1 victory in men's hockey on Friday night in front of a frenetic crowd and a national television audience.

Mike Seward scored the winner, and goaltender Raphael Girard made 34 saves for 17th-ranked Harvard (4-2-0, 3-2-0  ECAC Hockey). It was the third consecutive loss for 10th-ranked Cornell (3-3-1, 1-3-1 ECACH) -- all in league play.
     
Greg Miller started the play that led to Knisley's goal by blocking a shot to start the rush the other way. Joel Lowry then dished off to Knisley coming up the right wing, and his shot squeezed beneath the arm of Girard to tie the game at the 14:58 mark of the first period.

Cornell trailed by one going into the first break, but the score didn't tell the story – a recurring theme in this game – as the Big Red outshot the Crimson, 11-7. Cornell controlled play for most of the period, as well as the physical game, as the frenzied Lynah crowd more and more boisterous with each bone-crunching hit in the heated rivalry.

Harvard got an insurance goal late in the second period when a defensive turnover led to an abbreviated two-on-one that ended with Jimmy Vesey teeing up Kyle Criscuolo for a one-timed slapper that beat a helplessly sprawled-out Andy Iles (13 saves).

Cornell was all over the Crimson in the third period, as the Big Red defensemen pinched in from the points all period long, creating Harvard turnovers at the offensive blue line. Unfortunately, Cornell couldn't find the twine, as Harvard blocked 23 shots throughout the contest, including nine in the closing frame.

Harvard would cap off the scoring with 14 seconds left in the game. With Iles pulled, Petr Placek was on a breakaway when a Cornell defender hauled him down. Due to the empty cage, Harvard was awarded the goal.

The Big Red is back in action on Saturday night, when it hosts the Dartmouth Big Green at Lynah Rink. That game can also be found regionally on Time Warner Cable Sports Network.