Live Free or Die: Icemen Head to N.H.

The Harvard men's hockey team emerges from a five-game losing streak with high hopes for the coming weekend. The final two games of the regular season feature competition against Dartmouth and Vermont.

Harvard, whose ECAC record stands at 9-10-1, has clinched a spot in the league tournament. However, the team can finish no higher than sixth place in the standings. One point this weekend, or a Brown loss, secures Harvard the sixth spot.

Despite the losing streak, the Crimson has outshot its last two opponents, and appears on the verge of victory.

If Harvard can earn two wins this weekend, head coach Ronn Tomassoni will become the third coach of Harvard hockey to amass 100 victories.

This weekend's series could be an important breakthrough before the playoffs.

"The last few weeks everyone on the team felt we were on the verge of peaking," senior captain Brad Konik said.

Anticipation for this weekend's match-ups is a result of the recent upswing in play.

Last weekends close losses to Clarkson and St. Lawrence resurrected Harvard's hopes for better play in the upcoming series.

Competition between Harvard and Dartmouth has always been close, and with the Crimson coming off two near-wins, a tight game is expected.

Dartmouth emerged the victor from the last meeting of the Crimson and the Big Green, winning on January 6 at Bright Hockey Center by a margin of one goal.

The last eight meetings between these Ivy rivals have been decided by two goals or less.

That precedent, coupled with the close margins in Harvard's last two games, serves to intensify the excitement for Friday's competition.

"There is not a whole lot that can be gained this weekend in the sense of position in the league," Konik said.

However, Friday's action against Dartmouth will offer an opportunity for the Crimson to sharpen its play for the tournaments.

Harvard is 0-2 against teams ranked in the nation's top 10. The Crimson lost in overtime to eighth-ranked Vermont on January 5.

Saturday's game will therefore be the second meeting of Harvard and Vermont this season.

Vermont is coming off wins over Yale and Princeton and is hoping to round out its series with this Ivy triumvirate on a winning note.

In Harvard's last game against Vermont, the Crimson outshot the Catamounts, 38-25. The overtime loss was Harvard's first regular-season ECAC overtime loss since 1990. Harvard seeks to avenge its earlier loss with stellar play on Saturday.

This weekend's series provides the Crimson with the opportunity to prove its talent, and to finally overcome its losing streak.

The two near victories last weekend could very well translate to an even better showing this weekend.

This weekend's road-trip could likely provide momentum for Harvard as it prepares for post-season play.