It's That Time of Year Again: Harvard, B.U. Battle in Watson

When Harvard and Boston University tangle in football, nobody cares, and when they mix it up in basketball--or just about anything else--nobody comes.

Hockey, though, is a different story, for Harvard-B.U. hockey is Harvard-Yale football, and tonight at Watson Rink these two teams get together for their annual early-season party.

In recent years, it's been the Terriers who had all the fun. They've dominated both Harvard and ECAC hockey, but when they skate onto the ice tonight, they'll be sporting a hightly uncharacteristic 0-5 record.

Which won't make the game any less exciting, just a little different. To make things really different, though, the Crimson will have to win.

Harvard last bested the Terriers two years ago--almost to this day--at Watson. Since then it's been all B.U., twice in the Beanpot, twice in the ECAC's, once--in March of 1975--in the NCAA's and once at Walter Brown Arena, the Terriers' home rink.

Bunches

Usually, the score has been something like 7-2, with B.U. goals coming in bunches. A close game is always turned into a rout within a matter of moments, but this year the Terriers are missing some of their firepower of old.

They've lost to Providence, Darmouth and UNH in the east. Or, to put it another way, tonight is Harvard's best opportunity in a while.