Slater's greatest edge lies in front of the net with junior goalie Wayne Cowley--a Second-Team All-ECAC selection. In six games this year, Cowley has posted a 5-1 record, a 3.16 g.a.a and a .909 save percentage. In a league dominated by freshmen netminders, Cowley's experience gives the Raiders a seasoned veteran in the game's most crucial position.

"They'll be strong," Slater said of the first-place Crimson. "We're winning, but we're getting out-played and out-shot. I'm afraid our bubble might burst."

As for the Crimson, Cleary hopes his "Fab Five" (the freshman group of Peter Ciavaglia, Ted Donato, goalie Michael Francis, Mike Vukonich, and John Weisbrod) can continue its impressive early-season performance.

"We are young," Cleary said, "but we have shown some improvement."

Leading scorer and top defenseman Don Sweeney (2-6--8), along with Captain Steve Armstrong, lead a Crimson squad that has shone in its first five games. In final period play alone, Harvard has outscored its opponents, 10-1.

But despite Harvard's moments of brilliance, Cleary still thinks that his squad has not yet reached an even level of play.

"We have to be more consistent," Cleary said. "We keep getting more consistent every game we go through."

As for this weekend, upstate New York will not be a coveted getaway weekend for the Crimson, but more like extra time at the office.

"It will be a battle for us," Cleary said, "but we want it to be like that. We're looking forward to it."