BOSTON - Boston College stormed back from 3-1 down in the third period to force overtime, but No. 10 Harvard scored with 1.5 seconds left in the extra session to win 4-3 on Monday night in the first semifinal of the 70th Beanpot at TD Garden.
Marek Hejduk converted a 2-on-1 from the left circle in the dying seconds of overtime as the Crimson (16-6-1, 13-4-0 ECAC) advanced to next Monday's title game. The Eagles dropped to 9-11-6 (5-7-5 HEA).
BC out-shot Harvard 48-25, including a dominant 22-2 edge in the third period.
Hejduk opened the scoring for Harvard at 11:25 of the first period, slipping a shot high glove side on Mitch Benson. Matthew Coronato doubled the lead 1:48 into the second period with a left-win one-timer on the power play.
Mike Posma pulled a goal back for Boston College at 7:43, finishing a backhand centering pass from Lukas Gustafsson on the edge of the crease with the man advantage.
Harvard answered within five minutes on another power play tally from Coronato, giving the Crimson a 3-1 cushion after 40 minutes.
The Eagles began their comeback with 4:14 left in regulation on an individual effort from Nikita Nesterenko, who deked around several Crimson defenders before lifting a shot high blocker side to beat Mitchell Gibson.
Cutter Gauthier tied the game with an extra attacker goal from the right half wall when he fired a shot through traffic inside the right post with 1:31 remaining. Andre Gasseau and Trevor Kuntar assisted on the game-tying goal.
Gustafsson finished the night with a pair of assists, while Nesterenko led the team with nine shots on goal.
Boston College hosts Maine at Kelley Rink on Friday night at 7 p.m. on NESN.
