Even so, Mazzoleni was not willing to take any more chances. Instead of running three blueliners, he suited five and played a defensive two-man forecheck, leaving the center man back to provide some assistance.

"We only dressed five defensemen tonight because we've been having some difficulties back there," Mazzoleni said. "We sent two man in and kept the center back. Having the third man back helped out a lot. Anything is better than last night."

Mazzoleni's strategy appeared to be successful, as Jonas faced a handful fewer shots than he had the previous night, stopping 34 attempts on the night.

The Golden Knights, a team once known for its unique combination of superior skill and brute strength, came up short as the Crimson, with one year of former Clarkson assistant coach Ron Rolston's rigorous conditioning program under its belt, became the aggressor on both fronts.

"We're a bigger team, but more importantly a faster team," Moore said. "I'd bet on speed over strength any day of the week."

You have to wonder how much of the shift in both teams' physical play has to do with Rolston himself

"I'm sure it has something to do with it," Clarkson Coach Mark Morris conceded. "Ron's a fantastic coach and brings a lot to the table. His love of the weight room and knowledge of young athletes is clearly starting to pay off for Harvard."

With two points in its pocket from North Country, the Crimson can put Friday's disaster where it belongs--in the past--and look towards an easy ride over Brown this Thursday. Anything else would be a fluke.