First, the good news.

After completing a weekend sweep, the first-place Harvard men's hockey team (14-4-6 overall, 13-1-6 ECAC) rocketed up the national polls this week, while other ECAC contenders dropped like rocks.

Depending on the poll, Harvard is now sixth (Albany Times-Union) or eight (NCAA coaches) in the country, while Clarkson (20-7-1, 14-5-1) fell to ninth or 13th, respectively.

Meanwhile, St. Lawrence (17-9-2, 13-6-1), which embarrassed itself this weekend with losses against Yale and Brown, dropped out of sight (15th in the NCAA Coaches poll).

Harvard Coach Ronn Tomassoni was typically dismissive of the new rankings.

"Obviously its a tribute to the way the these kids have played," Tomassoni said. "But these polls don't mean a lot. The only poll that means anything is the one that comes at end [the post-season NCAA tournament seedings]."

Healthy?

Now for the best news.

Harvard has reason to be elated no matter what the pollsters say. After a hectic post-exam game schedule left the Crimson bruised and exhausted, the team is now close to full strength.

Sophomore defender Lou Body, who went down against Yale with a broken hand, returned to the blueline this weekend in fine form.

"I though he's had a heck of a year. He just strengthens a position that's already darn strong," Tomassoni said.

Sophomore Brian Farrell, who has missed 17 games because of a thigh injury, has been the given the greenlight to start playing. Farrell showed signs of promise at the beginnining of this year, and his return will be an added boost to an already-strong Crimson offense.

"It feels great to be back," Farrell said. "It's been really tough. I've just been trying to stay focused. I'm excited to be back."

The only other remaining casualty is freshman forward Steve Martins, who sustained a shoulder injury at Yale. Martins said there is a slight possibility he could return this weekend.

"It's getting better slowly. I've been taking it day by day. If I don't come back this week, then next week," Martins said.