Rising to the Challenge

CANTON, N.Y.--Now don't be sad, two out of three ain't bad...

--Meatloaf

One could tell the tensions were high last night when a rabid St. Lawrence fan ripped down a colorful "Go Harvard" sign and tore part of it off. The sign was replaced by deservedly upset members of the Harvard contingent; yet after suffering a setback, it shone bright as ever.

The Harvard hockey team responded in a similar fashion last night. After suffering a 3-2 defeat on Saturday night, the Crimson rebounded with its most explosive offensive performance of the season to advance to the ECAC Final Four in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Just three games ago Harvard was mired in a nine-game losing streak, yet coach Ronn Tomassoni repeatedly insisted his team was getting better and would be a force in the playoffs.

From now on, call him "Swami" Tomassoni, as his squad has earned a date with top-seeded Vermont on Friday in the semifinals. St. Lawrence was a team that inhabited first place nearly all season long in the ECAC, but it suffered a letdown in the past two weeks to take an early spring break.

The Saints had only lost four league games all year, yet dropped two to the Crimson this weekend. This was a team that has a Hobey Baker Finalist on its squad: Burke Murphy was selected as one of the top 10 players in the country.

All season long, critics questioned the depth of the Harvard team, citing how the success of the senior line determined the squad's fate.

Look again Harvard fans: four lines of forwards and three sets of defensemen showed up this weekend, and they finally proved that the Harvard men's hockey team is indeed that--a team.

For perhaps the only true time this season, it was the senior line that not only scored for the Crimson but also led the way. The seniors sparked the team to lift its collective level to its full potential. Yes, Massachusetts, there is a potent Harvard hockey team, and it has emerged at the perfect time.

"The seniors elevated their play when we needed it most," Tomassoni said. "And that's the ultimate form of leadership."

In a rink so different from Bright Hockey Center, in an area so different, in a city so far away and so much colder, with the odds so stacked against the Crimson, everyone gossiped how easy it would have been to fold.

Instead, six different players scored two points or more for the Crimson. Instead, Harvard's power play clicked in these three playoff games at a percentage DOUBLE what it had produced on the regular season.

Instead, Harvard scored eight goals last night--the most it had all season. Instead, Harvard captured two wins over a team with a winning record in one weekend, something the Crimson had been unable to accomplish even once during the regular season.

As time expired last night, Tripp Tracy exulted, rejoicing in a manner not seen since he celebrated in front of the Cornell fans over a year ago. This time, Tracy celebrated in front of his teammates.

Back then, he had nearly single-handedly saved the Crimson. This time, all 25-odd players captured the victory.

That same "Go Harvard" sign disappeared about halfway through the third period, an obvious victim of the St. Lawrence faithful. But no matter, because the only sign the Crimson will need next weekend is the one pointing the way to Lake Placid.