BOSTON, Mass. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's ice hockey team carried an early lead and battled through 60 minutes but dropped a 3–1 decision at Harvard University tonight in ECAC Hockey action at Bright-Landry Hockey Center.

RPI opened the scoring midway through the first period, capitalizing on the power play at 11:39. Dovar Tinling finished a crisp man-advantage sequence from the slot, burying a feed from Jagger Tapper and Thomas Klassek for his fifth goal of the season and a 1–0 Engineers' lead.

The Engineers maintained the advantage long into the second period, until Harvard evened the contest at 17:43, converting an even-strength chance to send the game into the second intermission tied 1–1. 

Despite the equalizer, RPI remained aggressive, with quality looks from Matthew Buckley, Filip Sitar, and Alfred Lindberg, while Buckley rang a shot off the post late in the period.

The Crimson took the lead early in the third with what proved to be the game-winning goal. RPI continued to push offensively, generating sustained zone time and pulling the goaltender late in search of the equalizer, but Harvard sealed the outcome with an empty-net goal at 19:05.

Goaltender Nate Krawchuk delivered another steady performance, stopping 29 shots, including several chances during extended defensive-zone sequences. 

RPI finished with 12 blocked shots, led by Jimmy Goffredo leading RPI with three.

RPI continues conference play tomorrow night, visiting Dartmouth College with puck drop set for 7:00 pm.