If there was any drawback to last night's game, it was the return of the Third Period Blues, a syndrome in which the Crimson inexplicably seems to enter a state of hibernation later in the game and relies on its defense and goalie J.R. Prestifilippo.
That's not always a bad strategy--Presto was his stellar self between the pipes last night, notching 28 saves in total, and 13 in the critical final period, during which he blanked the Bulldogs to seal the win.
"J.R. really shut them down, particularly in the third period," Tomassoni said. "He was real sharp tonight, as he has been all season."
And like last season, this team could do some damage in the postseason. And in the ECAC Tournament, it's the team with the hot hand that often progresses to the Final.
"I think this team is gradually getting better and better each time out, and that's encouraging," Tomassoni said. "And I think there is still a lot of time for us to continue to get better. I think we're going to be a pretty dangerous hockey team come playoff time."
If the team can cure the Third Period Blues and maintain the intensity of last night's first two periods, it may yet prove Tomassoni right.