ECAC Hockey: Fast start propels Harvard past Quinnipiac

Harvard raced out to a 3-0 lead after one period and never looked back en route to a 5-2 win over Quinnipiac in the first of two ECAC Hockey semifinals at 1980 Rink.

Jimmy Vesey scored 30 seconds into the game, assisted by Kyle Criscuolo and Alexander Kerfoot. Colin Blackwell scored an unassisted power play goal with 5:05 to go in the opening period to give the Crimson a 2-0 lead. Tyler Moy extended that lead to 3-0 just 33 seconds later.

Travis St. Denis and Soren Jonzzon scored second period goals to cut the Harvard lead to 3-2 after 40 minutes. St. Denis' goal, a shorthanded tally, was his 15th of the season.

Harvard shut the door on the Bobcats from there on out until Jimmy Vesey and Sean Malone added empty net goals to give Teddy Donato's team a trip to the finals. Vesey's two goals gives him 29 on the season.

Steve Michalek had 20 saves on the evening, picking up the win. Michael Garteig took the loss, allowing three goals on 29 shots on goal.

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Jeff Cox covers college, junior, high school and prep hockey, NCAA recruiting and NHL Draft prospects. Follow him on Twitter @JeffCoxSports.