Minnesota-Duluth beats Harvard with last-minute goal to reach Frozen Four final

On the strength of a goal from forward Alex Iafallo with just 26.6 seconds remaining in the third period, Minnesota-Duluth defeated Harvard 2-1 on Thursday night to advance to the Frozen Four championship game.

Iaffalo, the Bulldogs' leading scorer this season, neatly tipped a centering pass from Willie Raskob through the five-hole of Harvard netminder Merrick Madsen to send Minnesota-Duluth to its first championship game since it won the title in 2011.

Crimson defenseman Tyler Moy opened the scoring on a power play in the first period to give Harvard a lead that lasted just over three minutes, when Joey Anderson tied things up at one.

Through the second period and deep into the third, Madsen and opposing goalie Hunter Miska stole the show, each making multiple sparkling saves to preserve the tie.

The final shot count finished 40-38 in favor of Harvard, as the Crimson came out on the losing end of a one-goal game for just the second time all season, falling short of reaching their first title game since 1989.

Minnesota-Duluth awaits the winner of Thursday's second semifinal, Denver versus Notre Dame, to determine the opponent of Saturday's national championship.