HAMILTON, N.Y. (11/6/09) – Robbie Bourdon (Ile Bizard, Que.) scored the game winner with 4:04 left and Colgate had to kill off a penalty down the stretch to preserve a come-from-behind 5-4 victory over visiting Harvard in its ECAC Hockey opener, Friday evening at Starr Rink.
The Raiders erased a 4-1 deficit in the third period to up their record to 3-2-3 overall and win their third consecutive league opener and end a three-game winless skid versus the Crimson at Starr Rink. Harvard fell to 1-1 overall and 1-1 in the league.
Austin Smith (Dallas, Texas) netted his second consecutive two-goal game and David McIntyre (Pefferlaw, Ont.) erupted for a career-high four points on the evening on a goal and three assists in the win. With his second point of the evening, the senior hit the 100-point career mark and became the 48th player in the program's storied history to do so. McIntyre tied a career high with three assists on the evening. He dished off three helpers in a 5-4 overtime win over Lake Superior State on January 8, 2009.
Nathan Sinz (Anchorage, Alaska) and Jason Williams (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) teamed with Bourdon at 15:56 of the third as the freshman lit the lamp for his second goal of the year. For Sinz, it was his first collegiate point.
Less than a minute after taking their first lead, the Raiders went on the penalty kill in the closing 3:17 and Charles Long (Cleveland Heights, Ohio) closed the door on any thought of overtime.
It didn't look good early for the Raiders as the Crimson stormed out to a 3-0 advantage in the first period. Harvard took the lead with a power play goal from Chris Huxley at 7:17. After Alex Killorn and Eric Krohaus netted back to back goals at 12:58 and 14:25 off starter Alex Evin (Castlegar, B.C.), Long was summoned from the bench.
Colgate dominated the second period, out shooting Harvard 17-3. The Raiders got on the board at 8:40 as Thomas Larkin (Cocquio Trevisago, Italy) posted his first collegiate goal from Brian Day (Danvers, Mass.) and McIntyre. However, Harvard would retake its three-goal lead at 9:49 on Marshall Everson's second goal of the campaign.
Colgate pulled within two goals for the second time of the game just 31 seconds into the third on the power play as McIntyre connected for his first goal of the year from Smith and Wade Poplawski (Winnipeg, Man.).
After scoring his fifth of the year at 10:33 from Larkin and McIntyre, Smith posted the equalizer at 12:45 by redirecting a shot inside from McIntyre to bring the crowd to its feet.
Colgate out shot Harvard 40-29 on the evening. Long was credited with 15 saves, including 10 in the final period to get the win. Harvard netminder Kyle Richter saved 35 shots in the loss.
The Raiders return to action Saturday afternoon as it hosts Dartmouth. Game time is set for a 4 p.m. start at Starr Rink.
Final Stats
