CAMBRIDGE, Mass.-In the opening game of the 2008-09 season for both Harvard and Dartmouth, there were many firsts. Harvard dressed six freshmen, including goaltender Matt Hoyle. Dartmouth started three freshmen also including their goaltender, Jody O’Neill, all playing in their first collegiate game.

In a night where only one goalie could come out the winner, Matt Hoyle and the Harvard Crimson rose to the top, winning the 4-1 over the Dartmouth Big Green. With Hoyle getting his first collegiate win it left O’Neill still searching for his first.

“I was a little nervous in the beginning minutes, then settled down after that,” said Hoyle after making his first start in the Crimson net.

Said Harvard coach Ted Donato “Matt looked very solid and comfortable out there, he gave us a great effort.”

In the first period, both teams seemed to be feeling each other out, trying to get their legs on the very young season.

With no descent scoring chances on either end Harvard defensemen Michael Biega threw the puck at the net with freshman forward, Alex Killorn picking it up off a rebound and taking a wild shot at the net. The puck then just seemed to find sophomore forward, Pier-Olivier Michaud’s stick and he fired it past Dartmouth’s goalie and into the net.

The momentum seemed to swing in Harvard’s direction, and Dartmouth looked rattled, but the Crimson couldn’t take advantage of their opportunities.

It wasn’t until, Harvard’s Senior forward, Steve Rolecek, took a tough slashing penalty at 13:38, did Dartmouth show some signs of life. Much like Harvard’s goal only minutes earlier, Dartmouth’s defensemen Dan Markowitz threw the puck at the net. Scott Fleming, winning the battle in front, scored the game tying goal for Dartmouth leaving it at one apiece heading into the second period.

Six penalties were called just in the first period and 22 for the entire game. This left both teams searching for rhythm and a way to get the puck in the net.

With a fairly uneventful second period, except for eight penalties on both sides of ice and neither team capitalizing on their chances. At this point Harvard was zero for five on the power play and Dartmouth was one for nine.

Both teams went to the third looking for answers.

“It’s part of learning, as a coach (and player),” said Dartmouth Coach Bob Gaudet “It was strictly power play (tonight), that’s what it was about. You have to read and react as a coach, and I didn’t see it coming. I wasn’t misled (by the league); I just didn’t see it coming.”

In the third period Harvard came out flying. It was really the first time all night they peppered the young O’Neill and Dartmouth defense with high quality shots from the slot. Dartmouth was caught off guard by this attack and took some bad penalties and for the first time all game Harvard was able to take advantage of the opportunities.

Led by Doug Rodgers, who in coach Ted Donato’s eyes “is one of the best players in the country, and he just got better as the game went on” had two assists of three of the last goals by Harvard.

One of the assists was on a nice pass to Senior winger Nick Coskren who was able to walk in and put the puck in between O’Neill’s legs, right on the goal line.

“My goal is to help my team the best way I can,” said Rodgers, who definitely did just that tonight.

Harvard ended their night scoring and empty net shorthanded goal by Senior Captain, Jimmy Frasier, with four seconds left in the game.

All in all, Gaudet was proud of the way his team played even though the game didn’t go their way.

“The team battled hard, we have a bunch of young guys and a young goalie, we never stopped battling,” said Gaudet.

Harvard finished the game two for seven on the power play, while Dartmouth was 1-for 14. Harvard looks to their next against the U.S. Under-18 National squad on Saturday night then resumes ECAC league play on Tuesday, November 4 against Rensselaer.