Going North: M. Hockey to Face Cornell, Colgate

The trek up north to perennial ECAC giants Cornell and Colgate is usually one of Harvard's most difficult road trips of the year. Colgate earned a name for itself last year as an NCAA contender, and what Cornell lacks in similar honors, it makes up for in fish. Lots of them.

But no amount of kudos or fish can obscure the glaring faux pas committed by both teams last weekend. Union, one of the league's most consistent bottom-feeders, shocked everyone by sweeping the Big Red and the Red Raiders last weekend. As a result, Cornell (1-2-0, 1-1-0 ECAC) fell to fifth place, while Colgate Colgate (1-5-2, 0-2-0 ECAC) now brings up the rear with Brown.

Given the almost comical amount of parity within the conference, nothing is a given. But with both opponents clearly back on their heels, the Harvard men's hockey team has a prime opportunity to throw it's weight around up north, a feat that has eluded the Crimson (2-1-0, 2-1-0 ECAC) for quite some time.

With a relatively easy opening schedule, it is difficult to assess the Crimson's chances against these formidable conference foes.

Harvard clinched an easy 3-0 shutout over Brown to start the season, but dropped to Vermont 5-3 in the home opener. Aggressive offense and a tighter defense helped the Crimson salvage a win last weekend, trouncing Dartmouth 5-2.

"Going up north is always a tough trip, and Cornell is a tough place to play," junior assistant captain Peter Capouch said. "But our win over Dartmouth will give us a little momentum."

Netminder Oliver Jonas has been solid in goal for Harvard, stopping 40 shots against the Catamounts and another 34 against the Big Green. His quick reflexes often atone for lapses along the back line.

While defense is a constant problem for the Crimson, the talent-laden offense has stepped up to produce goals and play defensively when required. Captain Steve Moore is noted for such opportunistic measures, netting two consecutive short-handed goals over Brown and Vermont.

At even strength, Moore has found a niche with freshmen duo Tyler Kolarik and Rob Fried on the top line. Fried netted his first pair of collegiate goals last weekend, but despite the clear benefits of keeping the trio together, the combination is still uncertain.

"With Jeff [Stonehouse] out due to injury, Coach put me and Tyler [Kolarik] back together," Fried said. "There's definitely chemistry among the three of us, but we're taking it day to day."

Another combination that has excelled for the Crimson early on is the fourth line of senior center Harry Schwefel and junior wingers Kyle Clark and Jared Cantanucci. Their simple but effective game plan has provided considerable offense, and they may be kept together this weekend.

"We have more balance than last year," Mazzoleni said. "We're trying to play a four-line rotation. And those guys are playing the system that we want to play."

The presence of junior defenseman Graham Morrell takes some of the pressure off the youthful blueline. He will be a huge factor in shutting down the aggressive offensive production of both the Big Red and Red Raiders.

Harvard's first stop on its journey is Cornell's Lynah Rink, arguably one of the most inhospitable rinks in the country. The Big Red's rabid fans pack the arena, armed with fish to punctuate a tradition of intense Harvard-Cornell rivalry.

Tonight's return to Ithaca marks the first match-up between the rivals since the Big Red swept the Crimson in the ECAC quarterfinals to end its season last March.

Despite the 2-0 loss to Union last weekend, Cornell goaltender Matt Underhill is top notch. Chris Gartman got the nod against Rensselaer and posted a victory, but Underhill's experience may edge him out for the start this weekend.

However, it is the defense that will provide the boost for the Big Red. Captains Danny Powell and Larry Pierce will anchor the blueline with Mark McRae and Doug Murray. A combination of size and physical play will pose the most problems to an offensively-minded Crimson squad.

Harvard will be able to take advantage of an uncharacteristically weak Cornell offense. The loss of the team's top three scorers--Doug Stienstra, Mike Rutter, and Ryan Moynihan--leaves big holes up front.

Fortunately for the Crimson defense, there are no clear snipers on the Big Red squad. Denis Ladouceur and Matt McRae, a fifth-round draft pick of the Atlanta Thrashers, will be expected to step up.

Despite finishing the season with a ninth place national ranking, Colgate will be vulnerable to Harvard's gunners. The loss of All-American and Hobey Baker finalist Andy McDonald is a huge blow to the Red Raiders offense, and the graduation of offensive-minded blueliner Mike Marostega leaves a huge gap in its defensive unit.

The loss of Shep Harder between the pipes also adds another burden to the shoulders of a back line that lost its top three defensemen. Netminder Jason Lefevre does not have a wealth of on-the-job experience in goal, but performed well in his five starts last season.

However, do not count Colgate out yet. McDonald did not single-handedly carry the Red Raiders to the NCAA tournament. Cory Murphy and Bryan Long will provide strength and speed on the blueline that could trip Harvard up if it's not careful.

A pair of wins up north would not only improve Harvard's record, but would give this young team a big boost early in the season. With the worst trip to North Country to face St. Lawrence and Clarkson soon to come, the Crimson will need all the help it can get.