Men's JV Hockey Downs Sacred Heart 6-5 in OT

Harvard's JV men's hockey team could not have dreamed a better or more dramatic ending to the season.

The Crimson defeated Sacred Heart 6-5 moments in overtime on a goal from captain Neil Kennish.

"I could not have scripted a better ending to my Harvard hockey career," Kennish said. "Scoring the overtime winner in my final game will forever remain one of my best memories of Harvard."

With the scored knoted 5-5 in overtime against Sacred Heart, Coach Chris Wayland took a risk and sent out five forwards for the first shift. The gamble paid off.

Harvard forward Mark Angeloni had an early breakaway, and although he could not convert, the Pioneers could not clear the zone.

Moments later Angeloni took a quick shot, and before the rebound could be cleared, Kennish picked up the loose puck and buried the rebound upstairs.

As the final seconds of regulation ticked away, the Crimson looked to be in the driver's seat with a 5-4 lead. With the Crimson forward Rob Parsons in the box and the Pioneers goalie pulled for the extra attacker, however, Sacred Heart tied the game with seconds left on the clock to send the game to overtime.

The Crimson jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the game with goals from Angelino, junior Rene Roy, and Mike Holland. Sacred Heart battled back to make in 3-2 before Harvard's newly cemented line of Roy, Kennish, and sophomore forward Neil Shah added a pair to take a 5-2 lead.

A pair of late goals by the Piorneers brought Sacred Heart to within one, 5-4, and set up the game's dramatic final moments.

"Harvard is well known for its amazing array of varsity sports, but our junior varsity program is pretty amazing too," Kennish said. "A lot of talented athletes are still able to compete through the JV program."