Even though the Crimson managed two power play goals on the game, UMass' power play was by far more effective. Moore's goal came on a great individual effort by the flashy freshman. Also, sophomore winger Jeff Stonehouse, who bagged Harvard's other goal with 47 seconds left in the game, came on a six-on-four advantage as Mazzoleni pulled Jonas.

"We played a game where we outchanced UMass," Mazzoleni said. "But we had big breakdowns and they capitalized on their odd-man rushes. They were much better on specialty teams."

The two losses on the weekend drop the Crimson to 1-4 outside the ECAC, and Harvard still clings to a one point lead on the rest of its conference foes, having played at least one more game than the rest of the ECAC lineup.

Harvard will defend its precarious first place status tonight against Yale (11-5-0, 4-2-2) and then takes on Princeton tomorrow (5-6-3, 3-2-3) at Bright Hockey Center.

After the holiday debacle, Mazzoleni has placed extra attention on the team's neutral zone play and on finishing its chances in practice this week.

"We placed a lot of focus on what we are doing in the neutral zone," Mazzoleni said. "We have tried to simulate game conditions, putting guys in pressure situations. If you don't work on the plays in practice, they aren't going to go in during the games."

The Crimson was expected to get back freshman winger Brett Nowak this weekend. Nowak was the team's leading scorer before departing in mid December to play in the World Junior Championships for Team USA in Sweden.

Nowak just arrived back home Wednesday and Mazzoleni wants to give him some rest after the greuling tournament in which the U.S. lost to Canada in the bronze medal game.