There's definitely more to the two losses in Detroit than lack of consistancy.

Part of the problem, of course, was the 20-day layoff. Harvard's last game priot to the Detroit trip was a December 7 tie (2-2) against Cornell. That certainly threw Harvard out of synch, which would explain Harvard's somewhat sluggish skating and somber power play performance (2-for-12 in both games).

"We tried to simulate a game against the alumni [over break], but it just wasn't the same," Tomassoni said.

And the absence of Captain Kevin Sneddon (back injury) and sophomore Brian Farrell (deep thigh bruise) left the Crimson without two of its most talented players.

Harvard's youth, however, may have been the key to the disappointing weekend.

Western teams play a much more physical game, similar to pro hockey, with a tendency to clutch and hold more frequently.

Harvard often forsook its quick, finesse game against its bigger opponents. The result? Less offense and more penalties--not a productive combination.

"We were not used to the western style," Flomenhoft said. "There are things you can do to get away from that, but it's tough to get used to for the first time."

"We took some stupid penalties. We showed our immaturity," Tomassoni said.

Harvard's weekend in Detroit wasn't a complete bust, though.

The Crimson's penalty-killing unit shined all weekend long. Harvard killed 12 straight penalties against Michigan and Michigan State, raising its efficiency to 84 percent.

The experience the Crimson picked up will certainly help it as the team gears up for the meat of its ECAC schedule.

Moreover, Harvard showed that it can compete among top teams in the nation (Michigan entered the tournament as fifth in the nation, Michigan State ninth.)

And the Crimson did get a trip to Detroit. What more could a hockey team ask for?