"This was one of the best home games that I've ever played in since I've been here," said senior goaltender Oli Jonas, who added another magnificent performance to his stellar season, making a career-high 44 saves. "I've never seen the building more excited. This is what you play for."

Games like Saturday night's were the reason that Coach Mark Mazzoleni was hired last year. This week was perhaps the first real, hard evidence that his program is working. Harvard edged Boston University, 4-3, at Walter Brown Arena on Tuesday and nearly walked away with pure Boston bragging rights on Saturday.

It became clear on Saturday that while B.C. has by far the more polish and experience, the Crimson has just as much raw talent on the ice. Harvard cannot pass with precision and sling the puck around the ice like B.C. can, but it was also clear that the Crimson can skate with, and certainly outmuscle, the mighty Eagles.

Harvard shutout the B.C. power play, which entered the game tops in Hockey East. When the Eagles had a five-minute man advantage in the second period, Harvard got the better of the scoring chances as its quickness forced two breakaways--by Bala and sophomore center Dominic Moore.

Mazzoleni has not only increased the caliber of player coming to Harvard, but he has also not hidden his team from the best in the country. UMass-Amherst was dropped from the schedule in favor of visiting No. 5 New Hampshire on Dec. 14. For its winter break trip, the Crimson will be playing a deuce at No. 9 Colorado College. At this rate, a trip to No. 1 Michigan State will probably be in the offing for Harvard in the not-too-distant future.

"You don't start running until you walk fast, and you start to trot before you run," Mazzoleni said. "We haven't been in any races yet. Until we're in a few races, we'll take this, learn from it and be a better team the next time out."

The game was by no means a perfect effort for Harvard. The Crimson allowed 47 shots on goal, and the Eagles at times commanded territorial play. The game-tying goal came on a defensive breakdown. B.C. senior Mike Lephart beat a Crimson defenseman off the wall and was able to stand in front of the net unmarked long enough for Ben Eaves to make a great display of patience in getting him the puck.