The Harvard Crimson is enjoying one of its best seasons in recent memory, thanks in large part to senior goaltender Oliver Jonas.

Jonas, in his first year as a starter, has exceeded almost everyone's expectations in helping lead the Crimson (6-4-1, 5-3-1 ECAC) to first place in the ECAC and a No. 14 national ranking in the USA Today college hockey poll.

"I had very high expectations for him, and he's impressed even me," said captain Steve Moore.

Senior defenseman Tim Stay, in assessing Jonas' impact thus far this season, was in total support of his goalie.

"He's had a great season; he's stepped it up," Stay said. "He has kept us in a lot of games. Ollie has been the strongest part of our team."

The most noteworthy example of Jonas' ability to always keep Harvard in contention was witnessed during the Crimson's trip to upstate New York in the first weekend of December.

Jonas entered the weekend series against St. Lawrence and Clarkson with a .941 save percentage. Over that weekend, with the Crimson splitting a pair of games, Jonas recorded 44 saves in a lost to St. Lawrence and 34 saves in the win over Clarkson.

In addition to the barrage of shots faced on the road trip, Jonas also routinely faces the most shots per game of any ECAC goalie, roughly 30 per outing.