"I think the return of Ben Storey provided a much needed stabilizing force on defense," Millar said. "Our goals against went down, and the forwards and defense were willing to take more risks and play with more confidence."

Harvard swept UNO, 4-1 and 4-3, and rung in the new year with its first ECAC wins at Dartmouth and Vermont, 4-2 and 7-6, respectively. Moore had a hat trick against the Big Green.

Coming back home to the Bright Center, Harvard stalled the Engineer attack, but a 20-save performance by goalie Joel Laing squeezed a 1-0 victory for RPI. The Crimson bounced back with a 4-3 win over Union.

Millar almost single-handedly beat the Skating Dutchmen. He set up the first two Crimson goals and bagged two in the third to surmount a 3-2 deficit.

The senior forward displayed his talent over the next month-and-a-half as the Crimson put together an 8-4-1 record starting with Nebraska. He picked up the slack as nagging injuries put Moore into a mini-slump.

He scored the insurance goal Jan. 13 in perhaps Harvard's biggest win of the season. The Crimson played a rousing, spirited game against then No. 6 Boston College. Prestifilippo made 28 saves and top Eagle guns like Brian Giaonta fell silent in a 3-1 win.

"We came together as a team and started to play for each other," Millar said. "Individually every member picked up their level of play. Even practices were much more up tempo."

The Eagle victory marked the beginning of the break for first semester finals, and Harvard returned by faltering in the Beanpot, dropping both games.

But by now, Bright Hockey Center was becoming a true home ice advantage. Harvard took the ice and rode Millar's pair of goals to edge Yale 3-2 on Feb. 12 and outplayed Princeton 5-3, a team that was ranked during the season, on Feb. 13.

The Crimson had righted its ship, and though it lost three of its next four, home ice witnessed another sweep in the last week-end of the season over Vermont, 5-3, and Dartmouth, 3-2.

"The Princeton-Yale weekend gave us a huge lift that carried through the rest of the season," Allman said.

The double dip not only clinched a playoff spot, but also a fortunate No. 8 seed and first-round match-up against RPI, which represented the best chance for Harvard to advance.

Harvard, though, received a serious setback during the week leading up to its first round contest against the Engineers.

During a crash at the net in practice, one player fell on Prestifilippo breaking his collarbone, forcing sophomore Oliver Jonas--who was pulled in two previous appearances--to start against the best offense in the ECAC.

The Crimson attempted to rally as a team, and as a sign of unity, everyone on the roster--down to the student managers--bleach-blonded their hair.