And he can keep in mind that the Crimson isn't the only squad that has failed to live up to its preseason billing.

"I'd say we haven't won a big game all year," Cornell freshman phenom Kent Manderville said. "We have a lot to prove. These guys took it to us here on our own rink."

Seniors' Farewell

Harvard seniors C.J. Young, John Murphy, Tod Hartje, Brian Popiel and Scott McCormack are hoping the Crimson can win this miniseries to extend their collegiate careers.

"I think we're going to win," said Popiel. "When we play with emotion, we can beat anybody. For a while, we had injuries, and then a lack of intensity, and lately, we've had no team defense. But we're definitely a talented team."

The Crimson has played uninspired hockey during its recent slump. But a playoff game in front of 4000 Lynah Rink crazies with Cleary's coaching career on the brink should provide a strong incentive for the emotion Harvard needs.

"If we can't get up for this game," forward John Weisbrod said, "we'll never get up."