"Yes Virginia, There is a Hockey Team"

"It's safe to go back to Bright now, right? I can start bragging to my friends at other schools about our hockey team again? I can get my bunny suit out of storage?"

Yes, Virginia, there is a Harvard hockey team after all. Despite struggling to a 2-4-1 record through last Friday's 5-4 loss to Colgate, the Crimson busted out of its shell Sunday afternoon at Lynah Rink, crushing Cornell, 5-0.

Measly Crowd: After 2833 Colgate crazed fans squeezed into Starr Rink Friday night to watch the Red Raiders edge the Crimson, 5-4, a grand total of 250 spectators packed Starr the following night to watch Colgate play Northeastern.

While Harvard can always use the flattery, the defending champs aren't that big a draw.

The Board of Health imposed a one-month quarantine on sporting events involving Northeastern squads after two Northeastern students contracted measles on November 8. The order only exempted adults over the age of 33, whose bodies had apparently built up immunity to the virus. Suspiciously youthful fans were carded at the gate.

According to NU Sports Information Director Bill Doherty, only a handful of "plague-free, over-the-hill" fans were allowed in to watch the Red Raiders plaster the Huskies--who were playing without seven players serving suspensions for a brawl against Merrimack.

No More Mr. Clean: Heading into the weekend, junior Mike Vukonich had two noticeable stats: 11 points, which put him in second place on the team scoring list, and a big goose egg in the penalty-minutes column. With all the time Harvard's been spending in the hot box lately, Vukonich's good behavior stuck out--at least enough for Harvard Assistant Sports Information Director Julie Rice to make mention of his good behavior in the weekend game notes.

Sure enough, Vukonich was jinxed. With 5:36 remaining in Friday's game, and Harvard trailing, 4-3, he was whistled for roughing.

While Vukonich was doing his time, one young Red Raider fan leaned into the box to share a little wisdom with him.

"You're going to lose, you know," the boy said.

"Looks that way," Vukonich responded.

Vukonich spoke too soon--a Ted Drury wrist shot tied up the score just seconds after he left the box--but he may have jinxed the Crimson anyway. Shawn Lillie snuck in a goal with 48 seconds remaining to give the Red Raiders the win.

Goal of the Week: Last season, the Crimson penalty-killers were known for their aggressiveness, tallying 14 shorthanded goals in 33 games. But until this weekend, Harvard had been sitting back on the penalty kill and concentrating solely on defense.

The big turnaround came Sunday in Ithaca, when junior Pete Ciavaglia jumped on a loose puck and took a clean break into the Big Red end where all goalie Corrie D'Alessio could do was wait and sweat. Ciavaglia shoved it by him for a 4-0 Harvard advantage. Senior Tod Hartje, who replaced injured forward John Weisbrod on the penalty-killing unit, set up the play by blocking a Cornell slapshot.

Players of the Week:Offense: Ciavaglia. Friday, the junior center opened the scoring with a swift shot by ace Colgate goaltender Dave Gagnon, then fooled the Red Raiders with a last-second sucker play that gave Weisbrod a goal and the Crimson a 2-0 lead.

On Sunday, Ciavaglia's short-handed goal was only the highlight of an excellent performance, both in man-down situations and on the 5-on-5. Weekend totals: two goals and three assists.

Defense: Kevan Melrose. Melrose limited himself to only one penalty per game this weekend, which allowed him to show just how valuable he is on Harvard's penalty-killing unit.

But although Melrose didn't hear a lot of whistles, he did get in his weekly quota of hits. He had a key takedown on a Joel Gardner breakaway in the third period of the Colgate game and crumpled Cornell star Kent Manderville twice on Sunday.

Quote of the Week: "They're bench- ing me for the rest of the year now. Thingsseem to work out when I don't play."--Weisbrod,who missed Sunday's game with a minor concussion.

Sure, John. You'll be back on the ice tomorrownight when the Crimson takes on Vermont inBurlington.

Check up on the elder Ted D.: Accordingto disabled wing Ted Donato, his broken collarboneis likely to be healed by the trip back to St.Paul, but he's not likely to play. Afterconsulting with his doctor, Donato has decided therisk is too high and will wait until January torejoin the Crimson