Well, you assessment is correct. Objectively, white is a bit worse. However, 72 ecf - this is quite below. In slightly worse position, you need the guts to play on here. On the other hand - we all suffer sometimes draws against weaker opponents. Whatever the reason - none of us can be happy about it. It could be worse, you could have lost. So a draw is bitter, but - so what. Shit happens, and when you beat an equal opponent next time (he can be slightly lower rated), that makes already up for it.
Now about the game:
When you face a critical position like above after 19...f6 (where you considered Bxh7) - it is a good idea to dismiss such a move if you can not see through all these complications. If I am in such a situation, I usually do the safest move available (if it is available).
I would have thought to play 20.Ne5-f3 looks like such a safe move. Before you capture "forward" onto something (like 20.Ne5xBd7), the bell should ring, telling you "to take is a mistake". Indeed, even in such a case - moving backward is better than to capture forward. It is losing ground, but you can convince yourself: nothing is really spoiled if you retreat your first attack (and thus this attack was unsuccessful).
It sounds easy, but it is psychologically hard to retreat (*). We can, however, retreat not only when we are forced, but we can sometimes simply decide, that the opportunities are not fully to our liking. Bxh7 - wasnt your cup of tea? Fully understandable. I'd say it looks alright, but wouldnt be able to judge it at the end, too. If I dont have to - I usually refrain from speculative sacrifices. Especially if it is a much weaker player.
So Ne5-f3 would have just retreated your attacking knight, but it isnt the end of the game. You just re-formate for a new attack. His bishop on d7 is a "bad" bishop, so no need to relieve black from it.
Dont worry, NxBd7 isnt to bad. You are a good endgame player, and taking this into account, yeah, why not simplifying? But just because you are so good in endgames. Otherwise, for other readers (well, I admit, we arent many so far), 20.Ne5-f3 is a "safe" move, without the need to do the "to take is a mistake" move.
And then, how to continue? Chess is a game of two, of course, but as a first plan for white, I would hope for Qc2 and then Bxh7 doesnt need to be sac. The position seems stable, so rearranging a bit here and there should be possible. Why not launching another piece like Nc3-e2-g3-h5 - and try to cause some weaknessess in his black king-position?
The way to play a much weaker player is actually often like this: hold the grip tight, but dont go for an all-out-attack (such as Bxh7). Keep a bit of a room advantage and wait for his mistakes. He is weaker, he will do them. No need to "do" anything.
Jaap is also trying the art of "doing nothing", and the hole forum is actually the "salty turtle", meaning - take your time, rearrange for a new attack. If at first you dont succeed - you dont need to. Play a bit softer, less aggressive and more safe - and somehow, like they use to teach in martial arts - the soft way is pretty strong. You avoid the fist by simply giving way. Let him run into you, and hurt himself, use his own wrong doings to make him lose. You dont need to call for action here.
Not that I recommend it, but after 20.Ne5-f3, you could even play Kg1-h1-g1-h1-g1 and see what he is up to.
I wouldnt recommend such obvious ways, though. And if you look carefully, cool-headed, canny... you are likely to find moves that "do nothing" but are somehow usefull nevertheless.
example: Kg1-h1 is useful (cause you avoid later checks along the g1/a7 diagonal), but Kh1-g1 not.
Qc2 is useful (it guards Nc3 and attacks h7).
Maybe you didnt steam-roll-your opponent in this game because you were trying too hard. Next time, try less (against a much weaker opponent).
Dont push too hard. You will see, then you suddenly cut better and cut through your weaker opponents like through warm butter. Because it is them who play weak, they help you. You dont need to do all the work. They do weaknessess on their own, just have faith on that.
(*) So what is the overal information you can retrieve here?
-->look carefully, cool-headed, canny... "kill 'em with kindness" is a song I like from Selena Gomez.
Dont try too hard. Less action, and keeping a grip is a good strategy against considerable lower graded opponents (anything that is 25 ecf below your ecf).
(Trying too hard was maybe 25.h3 for instance)
(Edit: it is true, though: after 20.NxBd7 you have a blocked position and your pawns b4/d4/f4 are all a bit under attack. You defended pretty well, though.
Played a lowly 72 ecf here (1249). As white I got a good position . I realised the critical position got behind on the clock by 20mins before dismissing Bxh7. Then at end offered draw to win match but i did think i was worse. Kag draws come back to haunt me.