Lannon Sits, Frosh Debuts on ‘D’

It’s not every day that you see Ryan Lannon in street clothes taking in a game from the sidelines.

The assistant captain, who prior to yesterday’s scratch against Boston College had missed just one game in his Harvard career, was sidelined by an undisclosed injury sustained during the Crimson’s 8-6 win over Princeton Saturday evening.

“Ryan Lannon’s a little banged up,” Harvard coach Ted Donato ’91 said. “And it’s kind of a day-to-day injury. We’ll wait and see what the doctors say. I really don’t know much more than you do.”

Freshman Chris Kelley saw his first collegiate action in Lannon’s stead, originally paired alongside classmate Dave MacDonald.

But in an effort to ease Kelley’s transition and balance the defensive pairings, Donato cycled his five regulars through more frequently, often creating hybrid blue line duos.

With the pressure lifted from his shoulders, Kelley thrived, providing stalwart defense and forcing Eagles netminder Matti Kaltiainen to make a spectacular save on a blistering shot from just inside the blue line.

He did, however, take an unnecessary penalty at 8:05 in the second period after retaliating following a late hit.

A BEAR IN THE NET

Crimson netminder Dov Grumet-Morris has turned in stellar performances all season long, though his record only rose above .500 with last night’s win over the Eagles.

“I think if anything,” Donato had said after his team’s 4-1 loss to Colgate two weekends ago, “maybe I take for granted how solid and how good he’s been for us.

“He’s given us a chance in both games where at times we’ve been outplayed pretty badly.”

Harvard’s play has seen a significant jump in recent contests, though, and Grumet-Morris has only continued to dazzle.

Against BC, the senior stopped his second penalty shot of the season—one that very well could have tied the score at two and given the Eagles the momentum.

Eagles forward Dave Spina skated towards the Crimson net and, faking to his left, shot the puck back across. It glanced off the goalie’s glove, though, and trickled harmlessly into the corner.

“We were pretty nervous,” Pelle admitted of the free chance, “but we had total confidence in Dov.”

“That was a huge, huge point in the game,” the rookie added. “Momentum could swing either way after that.”

DOWN, STILL OUT

In addition to Lannon’s absence, Harvard played without sophomore forward Ryan Maki, who has been listed as “week-to-week” after tearing the cartilage in his ribs.

Maki indicated that he didn’t know how long he would remain out, but that he had experienced some pain skating and shooting.

Meanwhile, junior Charlie Johnson returned to action after missing the last four games.

Though he took some hard hits, Johnson’s energy on the ice was evident.

Johnson anchored the Crimson’s second line at center, though the forward had previously skated as both a winger and the center spot. For last weekend’s Ivy matchups, freshman Alex Meintel had occupied the second center spot.

SLAPSHOTS

The Crimson victory snaps a nine-game winless streak against BC. Harvard last defeated the Eagles on Jan. 13, 1999...The same five Crimson skaters were on the ice for each of the team’s three goals. All members of the first power play unit, Pelle, Andrew Lederman, Noah Welch, Tom Cavanagh and Brendan Bernakevitch accounted for a combined nine points...Harvard surrendered just 21 shots, five in both the first and third periods. BC entered the countest averaging more than 38 per game.

—Staff writer Timothy J. McGinn can be reached at mcginn@fas.harvard.edu.

—Staff writer Rebecca A. Seesel can be reached at seesel@fas.harvard.edu.