Harvard's Philpott Of Gold

Sophomore Ethan Philpott must like playing Princeton.

Both of his career goals have come against the Tigers, including the crucial third goal in Harvard's 4-3 victory over Princeton Saturday night.

With the score knotted at 2-2 seven minutes into the final period, the hulking right winger gave Harvard just the offensive lift it needed to go on top and ultimately pull out an important home-ice win. After peppering Princeton goaltender James Konte with a pair of shots from close range, Philpott reached out and swatted the rebound off Crimson center Henry Higdon's wrap-around into the net to put Harvard ahead for good.

The rare flash of offensive brilliance from a player known better for his bone-crushing checks and hard-nosed play bodes well for a team in need of some offensive spark. The Crimson will need all the goals it can get if it hopes to rebound from last year's disappointing 14-14-2 finish.

Of course, Philpott was not around for the unsuccessful 1994-95 campaign. He was off in lowa, competing for the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Junior Hockey League.

"The year off definitely benefited him," head coach Ronn Tomassoni said. "He needed a little more experience, and he got that in the Midwest."

At 6'4", 225 pounds, Philpott certainly has the size to be the dominating force in front of the net that the Crimson needs. And if Saturday night is any indication, he has the skill and desire to be that as well.

Home Alone

Though the official attendance totals for the Harvard hockey team's weekend home-stand against Ivy rivals Yale and Princeton were a near-capacity 2,631 and 2,926, respectively, you would never have known it from the low noise level in Bright Hockey Center.

The Crimson played its first two home games of the 1995-96 season before a largely quiet crowd that seemed to respond only to the occasional Harvard goal or particularly good scoring chance. Even the arrival of the Harvard land at the end of second period of Saturday night's win seemed to go unnoticed, as the home team closed out Princeton to the same feeble cheers it heard at the start of the game.

Granted, there was one other Game being played over the weekend, but nonetheless, the silence was surprising.

"The crowds at Harvard are good ones when the team is playing well," senior goals; Tripp Tracy said. "We're still coming off a season where we didn't give them much to cheer about. If we can get some wins under our belt at home, then hopefully the fans will respond and hop on that bandwagon."

"Generally, with the Harvard crowd, they tend to show up a little later," captain Brad Konik said. "They tend to be bellow until there's a real climax to the game."

Tripp's Treat

Speaking of Tracy, Harvard's stopper looked sharp in turning aside 27 shots against Princeton.

Tomassoni's decision to rest him Friday night in favor of freshman netminder Peter Zakowich was vindicated, as both Tracy and Zakowich turned in sterling performances in the two Crimson victories.

"I think that only playing the one game this weekend helped me zero in," Tracy said.

Ice Chips

Junior defenseman Ashlin Halfnight left Saturday night's game early with a gash to the back of his leg. The extent of the injury is not yet known...Harvard had a goal disallowed at 13:42 of the third period when reference Rob Hearn ruled that the whistle had blown before the puck skittered between Konte's pads. Harvard was leading 4-2 at the time...Tickets are now available at the basement of Harvard Hall for next Tuesday's game between Harvard Hall for next Tuesday's game between Harvard and Boston College (exchange Student Coupon #3)...Reduced rate seats are on sale as well for Friday night's match up at Northeastern. Tickets are $5 for students and can also be purchased at Harvard Hall.