Recently, Harvard has gotten the better of the Big Red, including a series sweep the last three years. But the Crimson has not enjoyed similar success in the Beanpot, the annual tournament held in February at Boston Garden and featuring the city's leading teams, Harvard, Boston College, Boston University and Northeastern.
The Crimson has not won a first-round game in seven years.
Some blame Harvard's recent failure on its schedule. The Crimson usally has a long layoff for exams prior to playing in the 'Pot.
Others simply say Harvard is jinxed. Usually--especially during the last four years--the Crimson enters the 'Pot as the better team and leaves empty-handed.
No one wants to play in the consolation game. But the Crimson has made that contest its own for the past seven years.
Finally, Harvard offers its own rink, Bright Center, and its own witty and cruel fans. During last year's NCAA first-round match with Michigan State, the MSU band chanted S-T-A-T-E.
The Crimson band, huddled behind the Harvard goal, yelled, "Now spell Michigan."
Laughter filled the arena.