"It's gonna come down to power plays," Taylor says.

Because of exams, the Crimson hasn't seen action since its 7-0 rout of St. Lawrence three weeks ago. And traditionally, Harvard has not done well in the game immediately following the break, posting only a 7-7 record during Coach Bill Cleary's tenure.

But this year's club sees only the positive aspects of its long recess.

"The rest has given us a chance to heal," forward Tim Smith says. "And I think it has helped us get things in perspective. Everyone's hungry again. The intensity is back."

And the more than 3000 roaring spectators will add to that intensity.

"When the fans are very vocal it's like having a sixth skater out there," Smith says.

"We haven't lost at home all year." Fusco adds. "The crowd gets you pumped up a little."

A team on a slide is unlikely to beat Harvard at home--something Yale hasn't done in three years. But the Elis may stem the Crimson tide by abandoning their aggresive tactics for a more tempered strategy.

Yale has been burned recently on power plays and doesn't want to fall into the same trap against Harvard, especially with top ECAC guns Fusco (11 goals, 21 assists) and Allen Bourbeau (14 goals, 14 assists) blasting shots on the Eli net.

"I played with Scottie in high school," Webster says. "We respect his speed."

To win, Yale must limit the number of Crimson power plays while capitalizing on its own one-man advantages.

But that would mean committing few penalties, not an easy task for a physical squad like Yale.

"They're a big team and they'll try to bang us up," Harvard forward Lane MacDonald says.

For its own part, the Crimson must stop Yale scoring threats Bob Logan (15 goals, 15 assists) and Randy Wood (16 goals, 14 assists) while overpowering Eli netminder Mike Schwalb, owner of a 4.16 goals-against average.

Harvard goalie Grant Blair--who leads the ECAC with a 2.67 goals-against average--and the Crimson's swarming defense should be able to hold Logan and Wood in check.

And if, Smith, MacDonald and the notorious "Killer B's" (Bourbeau and forward Tim Barakett) have kept their shots tuned during the long layoff, Schwalb should get plenty of work.

"We're going to have to contain two great lines," Taylor says.

And if Taylor were betting on the game?

"Harvard has to be the favorite at this point," he says.