Fusco, who is riding a 29-game scoring streak, has been suffering from back problems recently, which should slow him this weekend.
Watson, who is in better health, faces the kind of dilemma now that his Harvard counterpart will at the end of the season. The Chicago Black Hawks are anxious for Watson to john them as soon as possible.
Fusco, of course, is still deciding whether to accept an offer from the Hartford Whalers or stay for his final year.
On the blue line, UMD's Norm Maciver (12-46--58) matches up with the Crimson's Mark Benning (4-36--40). Benning and Maciver will play crucial roles in determining the success of their two teams power plays.
Benning who stands just two assists short of the Harvard record for a defenseman, has helped spark a unit that has connected on over 33 percent of its chances.
Maciver, on the other hand, has watched his team's man up unit struggle through the playoffs with just two goals in 25 opportunities However, on the year, the Bulldogs have put in 28 percent of their chances on the power play
Both squads also boast freshmen who have set new rookie goal scoring records but are better known for their famous fathers.
Crimson forward Lane Mac-Donald 21 goals are the best ever by a first year skater MacDonald's father Lowell was a three-time all star in the NHI.
UMD freshman Brett Hull's father Bobby is an NHI legend. Hull (31-27--58) is just a few points short of setting the few freshman records he doesn't already own.
The Crimson's goalie junior Grant Blair could be the difference this weekend for the visitors. As usual Blair has paced himself carefully over the course of the season and he has peaked as the playoffs have progressed allowing just nine goals in the last five games.
On the year, Blair has impressive numbers a 902 save percentage and a 281 goals against average.
UMD goalie Rick Kosti has also posted impressive stats, an 891 save percentage and a 3.17 gaa.
Kosti, however, has struggled with his concentration and has given up several cheap goals of Late.
Behind the bench the architects of the revival of their respective program UMD's Mike Sertich and Harvard's Bill Cleary. Will battle it out.
Cleary has led three of his last four teams to NCAA playoffs.
Sertich is responsible for a remarkable turnaround in Bulldog hockey which has seen UMD vault from obscurity to two straight WCHN titles and an appearance in the NCAA finals last year.
The difference, though between these high llying teams is that the entire city of Duluth rides on sertich's every move.
The people here care about nothing besides the Bulldogs and those people will be out in force tonight and Saturday.