Minnesota Wild goaltending prospect Steve Michalek has had a solid year for Harvard already, but pushed into new territory Tuesday night when he set a personal record for most saves in a game with 63 against Boston University. Harvard is taking part in the annual Bean Pot tournament, which features all four Boston area Division 1 hockey teams: Boston University, Boston College, Harvard, and Northeastern.
In addition to 63 saves being a personal best, he’s the first Harvard goaltender to cross the 60-save threshold since Grant Blair (Calgary Flames draft pick, didn’t play in the NHL) did it in 1984 against Boston College. It’s also the record for most saves in a Bean Pot game.
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Harvard took Boston University into double overtime before falling 4-3 to the Terriers, who feature top NHL prospect Jack Eichel. Eichel assisted on Danny O’Regan’s game-winner in the second overtime. Harvard stuck with BU, even carrying the lead for a while, but they only managed 34 shots through the nearly five period game.
By the way, you might have heard that Eichel’s a pretty decent player. Well, Ryan Lambert is tracking his possession numbers and those look even better than his wildly impressive point total.
Don’t forget, he’s a freshman.
The Bean Pot is generally an intense tournament, but the winners are often the same with Boston College and Boston University historically taking most of the titles in recent decades. Boston College has won the last five. However, Boston College (with their two Wild prospects, Alex Tuch and Adam Gilmour) was beat by Northeastern, who will face BU in the title game.
Watch some highlights from the game, as well as a few stellar Michalek saves below.
Watch the Harvard press conference with Michalek speaking after the game.
Thanks to KaitlynFP for the photo of Michalek.