"The Colgate game was when we really came together," Coughlin says. "It might not have been so exciting, but in the third period we really pulled together and showed a lot of character."

Konik goes even farther in illustrating how the game represented a new beginning for the Crimson.

"We see our season as divided into three parts," he says. "First was all the games before Colgate. Second is from Colgate to the Beanpot, and third is after the Beanpot. We're now 1-0 in our second season."

Some might say that the Crimson's break comes at the worst possible time, when the team was just starting to perform to its capabilities. The team does not play again unitl a pair of games December 21 and 22 against Alaska-Fairbanks, and then has a light schedule through the end of exam period.

Additionally, although Harvard currently ranks second in the ECAC behind Brown, the Crimson has played more games than most teams, and consequently could see its standing drop in the near future.

These details do not bother Konik and Coughlin, however, who feel the break will be well used.

"Guys have been getting too stressed out trying to get a record like last year's," Konik says. "We need to remember that we're playing because its fun. It'll be good to get home for the holidays and return all fired up."

"The time off is helpful because it lets our guys rest some injuries," Coughlin adds. "We've had a good week of practice--the time off allows guys to come back more focused."

In fact, at this point, the Crimson have not even begun to focus on the Nanooks.

"We haven't really discussed them at all," Coughlin says. "Our focus is more on how we play the game. If we show consistent, good team play, there's no reason we can't finish at the top of the ECAC. If we play well, everything should take care of itself."

Konik also agrees that the team should set its sights high.

"We want to repeat as [ECAC] champs, and everyone would love to get to the Final Four," he says. "Right now that might not be a realistic goal, but its a definite possibility if we continue to make a good amount of progress."